By Bill Koch and Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

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From Claire in Tennessee: I think Xavier would have been better off playing a zone against Saint Joseph's the whole game instead of letting two players beat them.

A: Xavier led then-No. 6 Saint Joseph's 71-70 with three minutes to play, so it's hard to argue that the Musketeers should have played a zone even if Jameer Nelson and Delonte West were unstoppable. When Xavier did throw a zone at Saint Joseph's, it took the Hawks about four possessions to get used to it, and once they did, Pat Carroll hit two 3s.

Q. From Doug in Clifton: Why doesn't Xavier press more often?

A: Xavier does employ a half-court trap at times, but to run a full-court press the entire game is difficult in college, because unless you have the right personnel, it's too easy to beat. Not to mention that it's physically draining.

Q. From Tom: Where are former Bearcats playing in the NBA?

A: UC has five players active in the NBA: Kenyon Martin (New Jersey Nets), Corie Blount (Chicago Bulls), Ruben Patterson (Portland Trail Blazers), Nick Van Exel (Golden State Warriors) and Danny Fortson (Dallas Mavericks).

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