Right Angle Sports - NCAA Basketball - 11/26/05
November 26
Xavier (-5) vs Purdue - 1:30pm Pacific - Game #727-728
Second year head coach Sean Miller now has had time to put his stamp on this program and call it his own. He and the team are much more comfortable and confident with one another this year. Xavier battled through early season adjustments to new head coach and injury woes all season long but finished the season as strong as almost any A-10 team going 7-3 in last 10 games. All 5 starters and top two reserves are back, plus forward Brandon Cole, a starter last year before early injury returns, and they have added two freshman players who will contribute right away. This is a deep, talented, experienced, seasoned group that is playing with great chemistry right now. Xavier absolutely demolished Eastern Illinois 80-35 in season opener.
Purdue just can not seem to catch a break. They first had to suspend projected starting point guard Tarrence Crump in October due to legal troubles and then lost senior guard David Teague to a season ending injury. Teague was second on the team in scoring last year and was an emotional leader on the team. Before the season head coach Matt Painter said he didn't believe the team could take a step forward without Crump, imagine what he would have said had he known he would be without Crump & Teague. Four true freshman will now be playing significant roles for Purdue and an enormous amount of pressure will be on senior forward Carl Laundry. Purdue was only 7-21 last season and under the circumstances it is difficult to see them improving much.
This is one of two marquee non-conference games that Xavier has circled on their schedule. This game is being played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Four key Xavier players (three starters) are from Indiana, three are specifically from Indianapolis, so the game will have added significance for them. Xavier really stepped up the play of their defense in the final 6 weeks of last season when they held their last 12 opponents to an average of .399 shooting from the field. If their season opener is any indication, they have picked up right where they left off and than some. The Musketeers will be too much for Boilermakers today. Give the points.
RAS Official Play: Xavier -5 1 UNIT
Denver vs Colorado State (+4) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #743-744
Everything is clicking for CSU right now. They are 3-0 on the season including a big come from behind win over instate rival Colorado earlier in the week. The Rams have star power with 7-0 sophomore forward Jason Smith. He is averaging 20.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.0bpg, and 3.0apg. He could be the top player in the MWC. 6-10 JC transfer forward Michael Harrison (14.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.6bpg, and 2.6apg) is a skilled big man who compliments Smith well. Another JC transfer, point guard Corey Lewis, has quickly become the undisputed starter and floor leader. Speedy and athletic brothers Michael Morris and Sean Morris (34 points vs CU) round out the starting five. CSU will be near full strength for the first time this season as 7 foot sophomore center Stuart Creason is expected to see his first action of the season as a reserve and senior G/F Freddy Robinson, a solid all around presence, will be available after sitting out 2 of the last 3 games with a sore quad.
Denver finished the season strong and beat up on a weak Sun Belt conference but were blown out in the conference tournament title game. Their six non-conference wins came over the likes of North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Eastern Washington (twice), Northern Colorado, and Cal-State Fullerton (before the Titans were at full strength). This year they must replace their starting backcourt of Erik Benzel (2nd on team in scoring, 1st in minutes played, more 3-pointers made than the rest of the team combined), and Rodney Billups (1st in steals & assists). They do return SBC player of the year candidate 6-10 center Yemi Nicholson but Colorado State has plenty of big bodies to throw at him. Denver is coming off a 3-0 start of their own but they beat suspect teams in Kennesaw State, Southern Miss, and Illinois-Chicago. They have been outrebounded by a margin of 5.7 per game despite the suspect competition. JC transfer newcomer guard DeShawn Walker has led the team with a 16.3ppg average but it is unlikely he will maintain that average now that defenses are aware of him. Denver has done nothing to justify being favored in this game. Their 3 wins came vs suspect opponents in Alaska, the last needing OT to upend Illinois-Chicago.
This game is being played at the Pepsi Center which is closer in proximity to the Denver campus but CSU is only an hour away and with a much bigger fan base should have at least an equal fan presence. The Rams won by 12 last year at home and look to be a better team this year. Take the points.
RAS Official Play: Colorado State +4 1 UNIT
St Louis at Hawaii (Over 126) - 10:00pm Pacific - Game #779-780
With a backcourt that goes 6 deep and is full of speed, SLU head coach Brad Soderberg has opted to finally let his team run some. They did not get to show it in their first game of the season as they played perhaps the lowest scoring team in the country right now in Eastern Illinois. Today against a normal opponent it is sure to be more noticeable. Defensively, Saint Louis has always been strong, but insiders suggest their one weakness would be having to defend a strong power forward. That is just what Hawaii possesses in 6-9 senior Julian Sensley. Opposite Sensley, JC transfer forward Ahmet Gueye leads the Warriors in scoring at 17.0ppg while shooting 82% from the field. He will also be a handful. Hawaii games have averaged 137 this year and averaged 135 last year. With St Louis's new style of offense which has been described as a "high-speed transition game" by local media, the game should at least reach Hawaii's game total average, if not surpass it. Take the over.
RAS Official Play: Over 126 1 UNIT
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