Kevin Frey and David West celebrate Xavier's victory last year in the Shootout. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati is paying no attention to Xavier senior Kevin Frey's shooting problems this season. The Bearcats think they will see the best of the 6-foot-8 forward.

        “I think he hates us,” UC assistant coach Dan Peters said, smiling. “You talk about a guy who comes with a chip on his shoulder. But I like his disposition when he walks on the floor. He always plays a great game against us.”

        As a sophomore, Frey scored all 12 of his points in the second half — including XU's final four points — in a two-point upset of the top-ranked Bearcats. Last year, he totaled 15 points and seven rebounds in another two-point Xavier victory.

        Frey's averages this season — 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and .356 shooting — have been down as he improves his conditioning after offseason ankle surgery. Frey averaged 11.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and .432 shooting last season.

        “I'm still just getting in the flow of things,” he said. “Plus, whether it be scoring or rebounding or a steal, I look to change my role here and there to fit what the team needs at that particular time.”

        Frey, who narrowly picked XU over UC in the recruiting process, seems to thrive on tough, physical games like the Crosstown Shootout.

        “The game is just unbelievable — the intensity and passion each team plays with,” Frey said. “It's a players' game. I love those kind of games.”

        LOCAL LAD:

        Another player who picked XU after strongly considering UC is freshman Keith Jackson, who attended the last few Shootouts as a guest of one school or the other. The Purcell Marian grad could have more first-Shootout nerves than do others.

        “It's special, because I'm from Cincinnati and lots of people will be watching me,” he said. “I've been talking to Dave (West), who told me to relax and let the game come to me.”

        The only other local product expected to play Friday is UC senior walk-on Rodney Crawford, a Withrow alum.

        SCOUTS OUT:

        West and UC's Steve Logan will draw attention from more than just each other's defenses. Twenty NBA scouts have been credentialed for the Shootout, XU sports information director Tom Eiser said.

        Eiser said he believes the most scouts ever credentialed at an XU home game was about two dozen, sometime in the 1989-90 season, when Tyrone Hill and Derek Strong were seniors.

        GROVE RETURNS:

        Junior center B.J. Grove began practicing with the Bearcats Wednesday. He had left the team in October for personal reasons.

        BLOCKED OUT:

        UC's Donald Little's streak of 14 consecutive games with a blocked shot ended Monday against Toledo. He played only 10 minutes in that game. The 6-11 junior center ranks fifth on the school's career blocks list with 108.

        RESET:

        ESPN Classic will air the 1999 Crosstown Shootout, a 66-64 XU victory, at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

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