By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It doesn't count one way or another in the standings, but Xavier players aren't taking lightly tonight's exhibition game against EA Sports.

IF YOU GO

• Who: XU vs. EA Sports • When: 7:30 p.m. • Where: Cintas Center • Tickets: $10

"We don't want to lose," said Musketeers senior center David West. "Everything counts."

Last year's opening exhibition game with EA Sports was a little tighter than most, with Xavier winning 75-67. But that was the Musketeers' first game under coach Thad Matta and there were plenty of personnel questions.

This time around, there aren't so many personnel questions as there are questions about this team's potential. A convincing win or a close loss are two different things in players' minds, even if the game doesn't factor into the win-loss column.

"It's all mental from here on out," sixth man Keith Jackson said. "(A loss) will play a role on our minds as maybe we're not as good as we think we are. We've got to go out there and execute and take care of business."

Matta is just looking for a continuation of what has already occurred in practice with an emphasis on defense and rebounding.

He might also have an eye on some of Xavier's newcomers, who will play their first game against an opponent. Freshmen Dedrick Finn, Angelo Smith and Brandon Cole, and junior transfer Anthony Myles should see some playing time. They are in a position Jackson was in last year, playing in his first exhibition game at Xavier.

"I was still a little bit taken aback with stars in my eyes, just looking around at everything, trying to get a feel for it all," Jackson said. "It will be different (than practice) for the freshman just getting adjusted to everything. I don't really have the jitters like I had last year at all."

FRIEND COULD BE FOE: Darnell Williams, an XU guard from 1995 to 2000, might play as a member of One World All Stars on Nov. 12.