By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Today could be one of those big days for Xavier University that doesn't mean very much.

The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll and All-American team will be announced, and the Musketeers could receive their highest preseason ranking and first preseason All-American.

With four returning starters, including potential All-American David West, XU is likely to challenge its 1997 preseason ranking of No. 10. The Musketeers are already ranked 11th in the coaches' poll, their second-highest standing in that poll after being 10th prior to the 1998-99 season.

No one on Xavier's team is paying much attention, though, at least not for a few more months.

"Same old line on that one," said XU coach Thad Matta. "I'd like to be there in the end."

Matta's players have adopted his stance as well, and say whatever their ranking is, it probably has more to do with what happened last season than what they might accomplish this season.

"Certainly, what we did last season helped us," senior Dave Young said of the Musketeers' 26-6 mark. "It's nice to have it, but it really doesn't mean anything until you go out there and play."

Last season, XU was 22nd in the final AP poll after the regular season and 24th in the final coaches' poll, which is conducted after the NCAA Tournament.

"It gives us a chance to have exposure," said senior Lionel Chalmers. "But that's it. We haven't played a game yet."

The Musketeers will probably be the only Atlantic 10 team in the Top 25. The best candidates outside of Xavier would be Dayton, Temple and Massachusetts, but none made the Top 25 in the coaches' poll. Temple and Dayton each received two votes in coaches' poll voting.Oct. 31.

Women's Top 25

LA. TECH 85, TEXAS TECH 76: Cheryl Ford, NBA star Karl Malone's daughter, had 24 points and 15 rebounds, leading the 16th-ranked Lady Techsters past the No. 7 Red Raiders at the State Farm Classic in Knoxville, Tenn.

Ford was backed by Erica Smith's 17 points and Trina Frierson's 16.

Texas Tech's Plenette Pierson finished with 25 points.

TENNESSEE 94, OKLAHOMA 68: Gwen Jackson scored 22 of her 29 points in the second half Sunday, helping the second-ranked Lady Vols open their season at home by whipping the No. 22 Sooners.

Theresa Schuknecht led Oklahoma with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Erin Higgins chipped in 18 points. Caton Hill added 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Sooners.