By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Just more than three weeks from the first game Nov. 18, the Xavier basketball team is in a state of urgency. Players can't execute the offense, shoot or hold on to the ball.

OK, it's not that bad, but you wouldn't know it from talking to XU coach Thad Matta.

"We've been showing (players) clips of ourselves last year," Matta said. "I would say they were a very good team. Here we are last year, and here we are this year. It is not even close. And we know full well it's early. But how long can you make that excuse? Pretty soon it's going to be late. And we better be better than we are right now."

Turnovers, a problem area for last season's 26-6 team, are the primary issue Matta wants to clean up. During a scrimmage Saturday, Matta pointed out that post players specifically need to take better care of the ball.

Besides watching video tape of themselves, Matta has been showing players video tape of other teams that the coaching staff considers to be the best in the nation.

"We're not a very good college basketball team compared to what we're watching what we consider to be great college basketball teams."

With four returning starters, Matta says improvements need to start happening fast.

"I think I'm worried about the next minute with this team," he said. "The sense of urgency is definitely there."

Center Will Caudle said the players are picking up on that sense and grasping plays more quickly.

"(Practice) is moving a lot quicker because guys know the plays a lot better," he said. "We're not taking time out to show guys the plays."

GOING AT EACH OTHER

Coaches brought in local college officials this week to work some scrimmages. The team underwent three days of scrimmaging from Thursday to Saturday.

"We want a simulated game. That's the point," said point guard Lionel Chalmers after Saturday's scrimmage. "In drills we get guys fouling because we're going hard, whereas in a game with referees it's going to be a lot different."

Point guard Lionel Chalmers said the scrimmages are helping."It has been very competitive," he said. "Guys were trying to go hard. We're just a little anxious. Now, guys are settling down and trying to chip away at it, and we're getting better and better at it every day."

BACKING UP WEST

With Will Caudle and Anthony Myles entrenching their roles at center, it looks like 6-foot-10 sophomore Anthony Coleman will spend most of his time as David West's backup while working in at small forward and center.

"I think it would be me, because I'm the only other big man learning more than just that one spot," Coleman said. "I'm not saying I'm Dave (West). They know what I can and can't do. I'm not trying to put up 40 a night."

XU RECRUIT

Indianapolis Pike senior Justin Cage made his official visit to campus Friday and Saturday. Cage, a 6-foot-5 small forward, has verbally committed to Xavier. He averaged 14 points and nine rebounds last season at Pike.