By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

If Xavier's basketball players aren't ready to go Monday night against St. Peter's, it won't be because of any media distractions.

Coach Thad Matta has kept his Musketeers away from all media interviews for the last four days because he thought they were losing focus. No media - print or television - have contacted anyone on the team except the coaching staff.

"I don't think we played particularly well the other night (in an 80-72 exhibition win against the One World All-Stars), especially defensively, and we need to focus," Matta said. "We didn't finish the game strong. It's a changing of the season now. I think it's just getting them to understand what we're about here."

He's right about not finishing well. Xavier let a 21-point, second-half lead against One World slip to eight, thanks to a late run by the All-Stars.

"We're trying to get that sense of urgency every play," Matta said. "And we're trying to get that understanding of what it takes every possession, both offensively and defensively."

SMITH DOES WHAT HE CAN: Before the interview ban, XU freshman Angelo Smith talked about what he can contribute in limited minutes this season. At 6 feet 8, Smith is a wiry 220 pounds but has enough strength to make an impact on the boards.

"I didn't know what position I was going to play or how I was going to help the team this year," Smith said. "I just knew as long as I stay within the team concept and do what Coach Matta wants me to do, I could play real good ball."

Smith was a rebounding force at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, pulling down almost 15 a game. He's trying to duplicate that at XU but played only four minutes in the last exhibition game.

"Angelo brings energy to the floor and a certain amount of intensity because he plays hard," Matta said. "He's shown he can score on the block and step out and shoot a little bit."

BIG THREE SCORING: Xavier's three leading scorers from last season - David West, Romain Sato and Lionel Chalmers - were its point leaders in the two exhibition games this season. It's a safe bet that will remain true throughout the season, although Matta said other role players might have big nights.

"There's going to be nights where (other players) step up and make some shots and get some rebounds and put them back in," Matta said. "I want the guys that shoot the highest percentage to take the most shots. There's no doubt about that."

West, Sato and Chalmers were the only players to score in double figures in both exhibition games. West averaged 22 points and 9.5 boards, Sato 20.5 points and seven rebounds, and Chalmers 14.5 points and 13 total assists.

OPEN SEATS: Several hundred tickets still remain for the regular-season opener against St. Peter's at Cintas Center. Game time is 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 745-3411 or visit www.cintascenter.com.

ANOTHER TOP 10: Xavier's basketball program ranked seventh in the nation in a study done by Jack Styczynski in the Basketball Times' November issue.

Styczynski used various criteria, including winning percentage over the past 10 years, number of former players in the NBA, graduation rate, academic reputation, coaching and program "cleanliness."

In the same study in 1997, Xavier ranked fifth.

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com