One of Lloyd Price's nicknames is Pain. It's time he got to inflict that on somebody else.

        The Xavier junior forward, a first-team Atlantic 10 pick, remains saddled by a sprained ankle suffered Nov. 16. He's expected to return tonight in a home game against San Francisco (4-3), a move that could calm his teammates.

SAN FRANCISCO at XU

SAN FRANCISCO at XU   • When: 7:30 p.m. today   • Where: Cintas Center   • Records: XU 4-1, USF 4-3   • TV: Channel 64   • Radio: WLW-AM (700)   • Tickets: $18, $15, $12   SAN FRANCISCO   Player-Ht.-Yr.-Avg.   James Lee-6-6-Sr.-11.0   Darrell Tucker-6-9-So.-19.9   Hondre Brewer-7-0-Jr.-9.7   Shamell Stallworth-6-5-So.-9.4   Ali Thomas-6-2-Sr.-11.9   Coach: Philip Mathews (86-65, sixth year; same overall   XAVIER   Kevin Frey-6-8-Jr.-12.4   David West-6-8-So.-12.4   Maurice McAfee-6-0-Sr.-7.8   Romain Sato-6-4-Fr.-11.0   Lionel Chalmers-6-0-Fr.-9.6   Coach: Skip Prosser (131-58, seventh year; 148-71 overall)   BY THE NUMBERS   • 82-69: Score of USF's victory over XU two years ago in the Puerto Rico Shootout   • No.295: XU's ranking in 3-point shooting (.260) among the 318 Division I teams   • Nos.114, 167: Respective RPI rankings for XU and USF, according to www.collegeRPI.com

        “He's not the most calm player,” XU coach Skip Prosser said. “But being a veteran guy, I do think he gives our other guys courage.”

        XU (4-1) is glutted with young guns, counting three starters who have a combined total of one season of collegiate experience.

        The Musketeers unraveled Saturday at Wisconsin, totaling just 12 baskets and going 13:33 without a field goal.

        Their 12 baskets were the fewest since they had the same number 19 seasons ago in a 30-28 loss to Oklahoma City.

        It's clear XU needs some scoring. And poise.

        “Lloyd is a man now,” XU assistant Mark Schmidt said. “He's a big part of us getting where we want to go.

        “You've got an experienced guy who's been there, who's been in the trenches. And he's a "3' man (small forward) who does well on the offensive boards.”

        What can Price provide? He ranked second on the

        team in scoring last year, averaging 13.0. And he ranked second in offensive rebounds, averaging 2.4.

        XU was outrebounded 31-22 by Wisconsin and got just seven offensive rebounds — none in the first nine minutes of the second half when Wisconsin put the game away.

        “Lloyd's going to help a lot,” junior forward Kevin Frey said. “He brings a lot of intensity. He's definitely a scoring option, and he plays great defense. For me, it's maybe even more of a comfort thing. As long as I've been here, I've been playing with him. We know each other's games.”

        Price played eight minutes last Tuesday against Samford, but the ankle didn't respond well to treatment and he was shut down to heal. He returned to practice Sunday and Monday.

        “I can't put into words how much I've missed being out there,” Price said.

        How will being back feel?

        “When I'm healthy, I'll show you how I feel. I'll be flying around out there.”

        Prosser said USF is a better team than any of the four previous who have visited Cintas Center. The Dons have a talented front line led by 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Darrell Tucker (19.9 points, 6.0 rebounds), who became the first player in West Coast Conference history to lead the league in scoring as a freshman (16.9 in league games).

        They also boast 7-foot junior center Hondre Brewer, who averages 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks, and 6-6 senior forward James Lee (11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds).

        “We haven't played a team as mobile and talented inside as they are,” Prosser said. “But that's why you play these games.”

        USF has lost five players to injuries, three of them for the season, and is down to seven scholarship players.

        “We have to control the tempo, because we don't have the bench to match up to other teams,” USF coach Philip Mathews said.
       

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