By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier University's Cintas Center becomes basketball central this weekend as Xavier hosts seven other teams in the Black Coaches Association Classic.

Twelve games will be played this weekend, culminating with the championship game at 8 p.m. Monday.

It all gets started at noon on Saturday with San Diego vs. Oakland. Xavier plays the nightcap against Coppin State at 8 p.m. The Musketeers will continue to play at 8 p.m. each day as long as they win.

Here's everything else you need to know before you go:

Can any of these teams beat Xavier?

At first glance, Xavier appears to be a runaway favorite to win three easy games against teams from non-major conferences. But look closer. While the Musketeers should have little trouble getting past injury-plagued Coppin State, a realistic challenge awaits in the second round with either Mercer or Ohio University. Both teams, Mercer in particular, are experienced and eager to prove they belong on the court with Xavier.

Then, if Xavier should reach the championship game, it likely would face either Illinois-Chicago or Oakland. Both are loaded with five returning starters and are expected to win their respective conferences this season.

If all the teams play as they are projected to, a competitive championship game could take shape.

Are there tickets left? Which games do I get to see?

Tickets remain for all six sessions, and two games are included with each session. Tickets for sessions in which Xavier plays go for $19, $16 and $12. Non-Xavier session tickets are $10. A few hundred Xavier-session tickets are still available for Saturday, and about 500 tickets are left for both the Sunday and Monday XU sessions. Regardless of whether Xavier wins or loses Saturday, tickets bought for a Sunday or Monday XU session are good for whenever the team plays. Season-ticket holders are guaranteed admission to Xavier sessions. Non-Xavier sessions have plenty of tickets left. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster (562-4949) or at the Cintas Center box office.

Which games other than Xavier's are worth seeing?

That depends on your college basketball interest level. Hoops junkies might be interested in watching Oakland play an over-matched San Diego team at noon Saturday. The most competitive game on Saturday pits Illinois-Chicago against UC Irvine at 6 p.m.

Fans with Mid-American Conference interest may want to check out Ohio University vs. Mercer at 2 p.m.

Can I watch on TV? What about radio?

The championship game at 8 p.m. Monday will be televised on Fox Sports Net Ohio.

As long as Xavier wins, the Musketeers' games will be broadcast on radio by WLW-AM (700). Should Xavier lose, WKRC-AM (550) will carry the subsequent games.

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com