By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nothing on the minds of UC fans this week. So it's all Xavier.

Question, from Dan in Philadelphia: I'm devastated by the loss of Lionel Chalmers and the departure of Anthony Coleman. But I'm kind of at odds on the David Young dismissal. It's ironic that all of these events have come together in an untimely fashion, just when the Muskies were on the verge of greatness. Is there no way to reconsider Young's return to the team in light of the above? The team was right there and had the opportunity to win against Alabama and Richmond but lost their legs.

Answer: Young is not coming back for two reasons. First, it would completely undermine any discipline system Thad Matta is trying to run, if he allowed Young to return after Young's outbursts directed toward Matta during and after the Eastern Kentucky game Dec. 28. Second, the Musketeers have adjusted to life without a deep bench and are even getting contributions from Keenan Christiansen.

Q, from Jennifer in Toledo: Which teams from the Atlantic 10 have a good chance at getting into the NCAA Tournament at this point?

A: Right now, Xavier and St. Joseph's are locks to get in barring any long losing streaks or untimely injuries. Dayton and Richmond also will look good to the selection committee as long as those four teams distance themselves from the rest of the league. The critical factor for getting four teams in will be the ability to show there are four dominant teams. Currently, that is the case, but a loss or two to one of the teams at the bottom of the league could change that and turn three or four bids into one or two.

E-mail basketball@enquirer.com with questions for Bill Koch about the Bearcats or Dustin Dow about the Musketeers.