By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Lionel Chalmers hasn't changed his style of play since moving to point guard from shooting guard last season. The Xavier senior is still a quick, hard-nosed player, but has the mentality of running the offense instead of looking to score.

He had never played point guard before last season, but his ability to grasp the position is invaluable to the No.11 Musketeers - especially to David West and Romain Sato, who get a majority of their shots within the confines of the set offense.

"(Chalmers) has a better understanding of what we're trying to do," Xavier coach Thad Matta said before Wednesday night's 63-62 loss at Stanford. "A better understanding of the game of basketball. He understands the time and score and situation better than he did last year."

For Chalmers, who scored 20 points against Stanford, that means he doesn't have to stick to playing primarily point guard. When freshman Dedrick Finn is in the game, Chalmers can play anywhere from point guard to small forward.

"He's playing the two, he's playing the three for us," Matta said. "But I think (playing point guard) has helped him in those other positions as well."

The biggest strides for Chalmers as a point guard came over the summer, when he began to practice and think about the position.

"It's a whole process, becoming a point guard, so that's what I've been working on," Chalmers said. "Right now, I really feel comfortable in the role."

If there was an area where Chalmers needed to improve, it was turnovers - 107 last season. He had five Wednesday night, giving him seven for two games. He has six steals in two games.

"I think he's one of the best defenders in college basketball," Matta said. "Once he continues to learn to guard his man without the ball, he will be even better."

E-mail: ddow@enquirer.com