The Cincinnati Enquirer

HUGGINS VS. XU CROWD

A crowd that was already going to be revved up for this game will be even more intense tonight after remarks by UC coach Bob Huggins about how rudely the Bearcats were treated at the Cintas Center during their last visit in 2001.

XU's homecourt advantage is one of the few advantages the Musketeers seem to have working in their favor for this game. The Musketeers, who are 48-5 at Cintas since the building opened in 2000, have already lost two games at home this year.

UC is the only non-Atlantic 10 Conference member to win a game at the Cintas Center. The visiting team has won the last three Shootouts.

2004 CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT

SPORTS • Tonight, one trend has to end • XU disputes Huggins' claims • Bobbitt is Mr. Impact • Crosstown Matchups: A position-by-position look • Coaches' oaths • Storylines to keep your eyes on • Xavier's Chalmers: We still have bragging rights NEWS • Crosstown staples: cookies, chili, rivalry EDITORIAL PAGE • Shootout more than 'just one game'

ROMAIN SATO AS XU'S GO-TO MAN

David West dominated UC during his four years in this series, but West is gone and now it falls to Sato, who's averaging 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, to pick up the slack. If XU is to have a chance against UC, Sato will have to have a big game. In three previous games against UC, he has averaged 13 points and six rebounds.

If he gets hot, Sato is capable of hurting UC from the perimeter with his 3-point shooting and with his offensive rebounding. If the Bearcats can keep him in check, they'll force one of the members of Xavier's supporting cast to make big plays.

XU'S GUARDS VS. UC's PRESSURE DEFENSE

The Bearcats' strength is their full-court pressure. XU's strength is its guard play with Lionel Chalmers and Dedrick Finn.

UC has had great success trapping and forcing turnovers this season, getting its opponents to cough up the ball an average of 21 times per game. Xavier commits only 12.3 turnovers per game, and forces opponents into 15.3.

The Bearcats are not nearly as effective in the halfcourt - either offensively or defensively - although they hold opponents to 38 percent shooting. If Chalmers, Finn and Romain Sato can handle UC's pressure and make it a half-court game, they will improve their chances of winning considerably.

CAN XU MATCH UC'S DEPTH?

The Bearcats wear down opponents with their superior depth and have developed a set rotation where everyone seems to know and accept his role.

Eric Hicks has become a force for the Bearcats on the offensive glass and Tony Bobbitt has the ability to change the pace of a game with his long-range shooting and knack for getting steals in UC's press. He leads the Bearcats with 35 steals.

XU has no one comparable to Bobbitt on its bench and has struggled recently to find the right combination of players, with Matta saying last week that every position was up for grabs.

The Musketeers must avoid what happens to many UC opponents that stay close for most of the first half, only to fall victim to UC runs that put the game out of reach.

CAN XU THRIVE AGAIN AS THE UNDERDOG?

The Musketeers have a recent history of knocking off UC when the Bearcats are highly ranked. They beat UC in 1996 and again in 1999 when the Bearcats were ranked No. 1 in the country. This year UC is ranked No. 10 and Xavier is unranked. Six of the last seven Crosstown Shootouts have featured at least one Top 25 team. In three of those six games, the unranked team has staged an upset.