Thad Matta has scrapped the gambling defensive style of Xavier teams past in favor of safe, sound play. It often pays off at an unexpected spot: the foul line.

        The Musketeers are fouling less and allowing opponents fewer free throws, and as a result, they have made more free throws than their opponents have attempted. XU is 207-of-287 (72.1 percent) this season; its opponents are 125-of-196 (63.8).

        XU isn't lax defensively. Its defensive numbers — 38.3 percent shooting and 60.8 points allowed per game — are its best since the 1950s. But XU's limited depth makes foul trouble a no-no. Matta, a man-to-man disciple, even has grudgingly played some zone to minimize fouls.

        “We hope our defense is sound enough to where we don't commit a lot of fouls,” Matta said. “There's such a fine line between playing hard and not committing fouls.”

        XU has committed 213 fouls, compared to 254 by its opponents. After the same number of games last season, XU had 246 fouls.

        The tradeoff is that XU is forcing fewer turnovers: 198 by its opponents, compared to 226 this time last season.

        The last time XU made more free throws than its opponents attempted was 1994-95, when it went 23-5. It has made more free throws than have its opponents every season since 1991-92.

        XU ranks third in the Atlantic 10 in percentage. The Musketeers have ranked fourth or better in each of their seven seasons in the league, leading the A-10 in the '96-97 (72.5 percent), '97-98 (73.8) and '98-99 (73.5) seasons.

        It helps that XU's big men shoot well: Kevin Frey at 76.6 percent, David West at 73.2.

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