By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Former Winton Woods High School standout DeForrest Riley-Smith decided to transfer to Xavier University Wednesday after he left Penn State last week.

A 6-foot-6 sophomore guard, Riley-Smith was averaging 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists for Penn State but said he wanted to move closer to home for personal reasons.

"I really feel good about the situation now," said Riley-Smith, who will begin classes at Xavier next week and will become eligible in mid-December. "Coach (Thad) Matta recruited me out of high school, and I really like the entire staff."

Riley-Smith attended Xavier's home game against Alabama Saturday. He also considered Kentucky, Notre Dame and Dayton.

His presence on Xavier's team will add a proven perimeter college scorer with enough size to compete in the lane. The only question is where Riley-Smith will fit in on Xavier's roster, which is full for next season.

WINDY CITY HOPES: As Xavier's schedule comes together for next season, the Musketeers are close to getting a game against a Big Ten opponent in Chicago, which would be returned the following year in Cincinnati.

Xavier and Illinois are in serious discussions to finalize a two-year deal that would have the teams playing in Chicago's United Center in December and bringing the game to U.S. Bank Arena in December of 2005.

"It gets us into Chicago, which we've been trying to do for a while," Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski said. "We have a lot of alumni there who would like to see us play."

Xavier already has several home games on next season's schedule, including return games with Iowa State and Mississippi State. The lone road game scheduled so far is the Crosstown Shootout against Cincinnati, though no date has been set.

Xavier remains interested in participating in the "Jesuit Shootout" proposed by Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen. If it came about by next season, it would lock in home and away games against two other Jesuit teams.

SMITH UNDERGOES SURGERY: Sophomore forward Angelo Smith had surgery Tuesday to repair his injured right shoulder that has kept him out of Xavier's last seven games. It is not clear if Smith will return to play this season.

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com