By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moments after his Florida A&M basketball team lost to Cincinnati by 27 points last week, coach Mike Gillespie predicted UC would beat Xavier in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout.

His prediction didn't resonate the way UC forward Terry Nelson's did in 1992 when he foresaw a Bearcat blowout, but it was an educated opinion from a man who has coached against - and lost - to both teams. XU beat A&M by 29 points two days before UC's rout.

"I love Xavier," Gillespie said Tuesday. "I think they've got a hell of a team. But I think Cincinnati is going to find a way. They've got a little more to prove this year. In the past, the shoe's been on the other foot, with Xavier being the team with a chip on their shoulder trying to gain respect. Now Cincinnati is trying to recapture some of that luster."

Here's Gillespie's analysis of Saturday's game at UC's Shoemaker Center.

Power forward: Maxiell vs. West

"(XU's) David West is as good as everyone says he is. Jason Maxiell, if he can play him even, that's an advantage for Cincinnati. West is going to get his points. He's going to get 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he can't go off for 30.

"If Maxiell gets in foul trouble, Cincinnati is in trouble."

Small forward: Stokes vs. Sato

"In my opinion, (UC's Leonard) Stokes is the better basketball player. (XU's Romain) Sato is a better rebounder. I think Sato is a warrior. Leonard has a better feel for getting to the basket and for the game of basketball.

"That's a coin toss right there. I'd love to see those guys play. Both will guard each other. Neither one will give an inch. They're both great defenders. Stokes has the ability to score in more ways than Sato. Maybe the edge goes to Leonard."

Center: Johnson vs. Caudle

Although (UC's Kareem) Johnson and (XU's Will) Caudle are expected to start, neither team has an established center, and both will use several players at the position.

"I think that's going to help determine who wins the game. Xavier's guys are active. They shot-block; they're bigger and taller than the guys at Cincinnati.

"The Cincinnati kids in the post are a little more physical. Whoever can control that five spot gives their team an advantage, moreso in rebounding than anything else."

Shooting guard: Williams vs. Finn

"If Field (Williams of UC) gets going, he's a great, great shooter. For Xavier to be successful, they can't lose him in transition. They have to make him put the ball on the floor. If they use David Young on the wing, he could really give Field some problems getting his shot off because of his size. I don't know if David Young is going to score a lot for Xavier, but he could be a defensive presence."

Point guard: Barker vs. Chalmers

"I think Xavier is going to play (Dedrick) Finn more at the two and keep the ball in (Lionel) Chalmers' hands. Chalmers has had two great years, but I've really been impressed with (UC's Taron) Barker."

Styles of play:

"Their styles are very similar. Both teams like to push the ball. I think the game will be in the 60s because the defense will be so intense. Xavier has a little better inside player with West. What's going to happen is you're going to see Cincinnati go to some isolation stuff for Stokes and Maxiell.

"The same thing for Xavier with West and Sato. I don't think the role players will be a major factor. The stars will lead the way.

"Both are very aggressive on defense. In my opinion, Xavier is a little suspect against the zone. One of the questions for Cincinnati will be consistent perimeter shooting."