By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dave Young's discontent with his new role at Xavier reached a breaking point when he was dismissed from the team Monday by coach Thad Matta.

The move follows a shouting match Saturday between Matta and Young during a timeout in Xavier's 84-60 win against Eastern Kentucky. But the incident wasn't the driving reason behind Monday's decision, Matta and Young said.

"It came down to a difference in philosophy about his role," Matta said.

Young, a guard, agreed, and said he isn't bitter about what happened.

"Things could have happened a little differently," Young said, "but we had really different ideas. That's all. It had nothing to do with what happened in the game."

Young, a senior, is the second player to leave the Musketeers' program this month. Anthony Coleman voluntarily left on Dec.19 because of a lack of playing time.

Young publicly complained about his diminished role off the bench when Matta replaced him in the starting lineup with freshman Dedrick Finn on Nov.24. Young averaged 15.2 minutes per game after playing 25 minutes per game last season as a starter.

After scoring seven points in 14 minutes in Xavier's Dec.14 loss to Mississippi State, Young refused to comment on whether he would seek a fifth year of eligibility next season.

Young said the decision to dismiss him was made after Saturday's game. Young said he met with the Musketeers' coaching staff, and everyone agreed with the decision.

Young is on track to graduate in May, and the university will honor his scholarship if he stays and completes his criminal justice degree requirements, which Young said he'll do.

"I came to school to get a degree," Young said, "and that's what I'm going to do. When I'm done, I'll look at playing ball overseas. I've still got friends on the team, and I'll be wishing those guys the best."

The timing of Young's removal could be distracting. No.19 Xavier (8-2) hosts No.15 Creighton tonight at Cintas Center.

Saturday, Xavier travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face No.1 Alabama.

Two wins this week could propel Xavier into or near the top 10. Two losses could drop the Musketeers from the rankings entirely.

"We move forward," Matta said. "We have a big week ahead of us, and I continue to see this team come together as a team."

The Bluejays are the first ranked team to visit Cintas Center, and will look to end Xavier's 16 home-game winning streak. Last season, the Musketeers ended Creighton's 20-game home winning streak.

Creighton is led by senior forward Kyle Korver, who averages 18.3 points and tops the team with 33 assists. The Bluejays are the only team to beat No.6 Notre Dame this season.

BOBBLEHEAD MADNESS: The first 3,000 ticket holders to arrive at Cintas Center's front entrance will receive a David West bobblehead doll, courtesy of XU's athletic department. Doors open at 6 p.m.