Team Breakdown - Xavier Musketeers
by Ian James
They don’t come from a power conference or have any big-name stars. Their hallmark is defense and solid all around play. If you can name more than two more Musketeers, you're a true hoop-head.
Yet there were suggestions this season that this might be the best group of Muskies ever. And for those with short memories, remember this is a team that won 30 games last season and made it to the Elite Eight before falling to UCLA. This season, Xavier finished 25-7 and won the Atlantic 10 regular season title but was upset by Temple in the conference tournament.
Xavier again has a balanced scoring attack, even after it lost its top three shooters to graduation last season. Senior B.J. Raymond and junior Derrick Brown have been a solid one-two punch as they’re averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds per game between them. The junior forward (6'8", 227) has been big in the Georgia last season.
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The Musketeers have a strong interior defense, although they don't have an elite rebounder, just like they don't have an elite scorer. Between the size and Miller's clog-the-middle sagging defense, Xavier doesn't give up many second chances or anything for free near the basket. Xavier's aim is to take away dribble penetration; it really makes life difficult for a team that can't win that matchup on that end of the court.
Xavier's field goal percentage defense is among the best in the country. That's one of the key stats for the Muskies. The other thing to watch for is the number of free throw attempts. Xavier, especially physical wing C.J. Anderson, excels at getting about 10 more fouls shots per game than its opponent.
Having played a tough non-conference schedule, Xavier is battle tested and has a grinding style suited for tight March games. Despite loosing 2 of 3 they should cruise past Portland State into the second round where they will face a much tougher test.
