Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Crosstown Shootout notebook
Bearcats defense is tops
By Neil Schmidt and Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Seems like every other time Xavier plays UC, the Bearcats are ranked No.1. This time, though, UC's not No.1 in the polls; it's first in the nation in field goal percentage defense at .339. It's also No.2 in scoring defense with a 53.4 points-per-game average, trailing only the 52.8 average of Pittsburgh.
UC allowed .430 shooting and a 65.5 scoring average last season. “That's a great accomplishment for them, being No.1 in shooting defense,” XU point guard Lionel Chalmers said. “We'll just have to do what we normally do: be patient, execute, kick the ball out and hit our open shots.”
XU is no slouch on defense, either. Its 59.7 scoring defense ranks 19th in the nation, and its .392 shooting defense is 58th. Those numbers are improvements on the 65.9 points and .406 shooting it allowed last season.
ALL BUSINESS: Both teams have restricted media access to their players and coaches more than for previous Shootouts. UC limited reporters to a single half-hour session Tuesday and will allow no further interviews this week. XU held a structured session with selected players Tuesday and will have another one today but nothing Thursday.
GROVE OR NOT? UC coach Bob Huggins did not sound as if he plans to play B.J. Grove against Xavier, but he did not rule it out completely.
The 6-foot-11 Grove joined the team this week as a walk-on. He did not practice with UC on Tuesday but is eligible to play Friday night.
“I don't know if he can run up and down the floor,” Huggins said. “I would be very surprised if he gets in the game before those guys that have played seven games. I don't have any idea what kind of shape he's in. The last time I saw him do anything physical was the last week of school last year.
“These guys have played seven games and know what they're doing, and they're in good physical condition. There's not much to say (about Grove), really.”
WEST BETTER: XU center David West's injury in the Wisconsin game Monday night has been diagnosed as an abdominal strain. West had reported soreness in his left side, and it caused him to play a bit tentatively in the second half. West got treatment Tuesday, and team trainer David Fluker said West should be fine for Friday.
MUST-SEE TV: How can you tell ESPN is treating this as a big game? Besides sending its top announcing team of Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale, it announced Tuesday it is also sending analyst Jay Bilas to do sideline reporting.
E-MAIL US: Got a question about UC or XU basketball? E-mail Enquirer reporters Michael Perry and Neil Schmidt at basketball@enquirer.com. Their Q & A column appears Saturdays.
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