X 26th in AP Poll

Xavier has been pegged at #26 in the first AP poll this season. We are at #30 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Should be tested early and a win against Mizzou in the PR tournament would go along way to keeping us in the voters mind.

I am also hearing from a very, very reliable source that X will pick up it's first commit from the class of 2010 this weekend. We have a big on campus that is a strong XU lean.

Exhibition this Saturday

The Bearcats will start off the season with an exhibition game at noon this Saturday. Canada’s Capital University have won five of the last six Canadian National Championships and went undefeated in three of those six seasons. They should give the Cats a fight and at the very least give those of us who cant wait something to look forward to.

11th Place - Richmond Spiders

Head Coach: Chris Mooney
Record at Richmond: 37-54 (3)

Home Court: Robins Center (9,071)

Roster:
1 Darrius Garrett Fr F 6-8 200
4 Jahron Giddings Sr F 6-9 225
5 David Gonzalvez Jr G 6-4 200
11 Josh Duinker Fr C 6-11 220
12 Kevin Smith So F 6-5 190
14 Kevin Anderson So G 6-0 170
15 Francis Cedric Martel Fr G 6-5 200
31 Conor Smith Fr F 6-7 210
32 Justin Harper So F 6-9 215
44 Ryan Butler Jr F 6-6 200

First 5:

1-K. Anderson (the A10 Rookie of the Year last season is solid overall and his scoring output increased greatly the Spider's last 9 games of the season. He should continue to develop.)
2-D. Gonzalvez (the junior is plagued by inconsistency. He dropped 25 in a loss against Memphis and other games he disappeared in.)
3-K. Smith (the sophomore has a solid overall floor game. He was third on the team in blocks and fifth in assists last season)
4-J. Giddings (he has battled shin injuries his whole career. Giddings needs to rebound for Richmond to exceed expectations)
5-J. Duinker (the big Aussie actually joined the team last January. Josh reportedly can dribble, pass, and shoot which bodes well for a big man in the Princeton offense)

Second 5:
1-K. Hovde (long guard will provide depth in the backcourt)
2-F. Martel (Canadian prospect intrigues many, is a shooter to match the rest of Richmond's team)
3-R. Butler (his three point shooting percentage dropped last year keeping him off the court)
4-D. Garrett (good prospect will need to add weight to hold his own against the other bigs in the conference)
5-J. Harper (this big kid had flashes last year including dropping 11 on X that included a perfect three for three from 3 land)

Outlook:
This team would have been projected much higher if Dan Geriot did not tear a ligament in his right knee playing summer ball. The 6-9 post averaged over 14 a game and the offense was run through him. Now Duinker will be that guy hopefully. I still like their team very much despite the low ranking because they can all shoot from deep, pass, and handle the rock. What I don't like is their rebounding and overall athleticism. And I am still not sold on Chris Mooney. He had one solid year at Air Force before heading east to replace John Beilein. Anderson is a very nice player and some who follow the league have this squad finishing quite a bit higher than I do.

X Picked 1st. Of course they were.

My compadre Deck continues to be cautiously optimistic for another year. No surprise there. Being the resident Cats guy even I can see they are the class of the A10. Deck you've been calling me out to post so now I'm calling you out.

Stand up and shout for your boys man!! Even with the losses the Muskies will contend for an A10 championship and probably be dancing again. Be Proud! I know I would.

Good read From Katz on Cats

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/102908aaa.html

The season is so close I can already hear the sneakers squeeking and the buzzer sounding!