Musketeer Preview

The basketball team takes to the floor tonight against Xavier, in what should be a very good test for our team.  I'll have more extensive basketball previews as the season gets rolling, but for now, a few points about Xavier.

First, I love their nickname.  Always have.  Xavier was the first BG football game I ever saw, waaayyy back in the day.  We lost.  Should have been a sign.

Anyhoo.  They were a sweet 16 team last year, and despite losing their coach and considerable talent, they are still picked to finish 2nd in a very strong conference.  This is among the better teams BG will play this year.

They are very strong and deep at guard, and while they are not expected to be as deep down low, they expect to have the ability to get the ball to their big men using the guard play.

Their only win this year was over Youngstown State.

Their comeback is being fueled by Jordan Crawford, a very highly touted recruit who is a refugee from the Kelvin Sampson debacle at IU.  And since BG has a player with the same name (albeit spelled differently) it will be an official oddity when they are on the floor together.

Their center, Jason Love, will present a nice challenge to Otis and is on the pre-season A-10 All-defensive team.

XU was 8th in the country last year in FG% defense, meaning that they win the same way the Falcons do.

I'll be listening closely.  As I said, a nice test for our team,  on the road, early in the season.