By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

If Xavier University swingman Justin Doellman were a senior, his knowledge and uncanny feel for basketball might not be such a big deal. It might be expected.

But Doellman, whose court awareness has given new strength to Xavier's offense in the last three games, is just a freshman. His knack for knowing when to make the right play has helped open up the offense, giving it the flow it missed during the first part of the season.

Entering Sunday's game at Rhode Island, Xavier players such as Anthony Myles and Romain Sato find themselves with improved looks on offense, in part because of the balance Doellman provides as a starter.

"J.D.'s understanding of how to play has helped Anthony, as well as all the other guys," Xavier coach Thad Matta said. "He does a lot of different things from shooting to passing to offensive rebounding. ... It puts another guy on the floor that can move the ball."

It should be no surprise that Doellman has brought a significant amount of court savvy with him just one year removed from Ryle High School. He has basketball in his blood.

His father, Dan Doellman, was a standout player at Roger Bacon who went on to become Northern Kentucky University's fourth all-time leading scorer.

"He taught me most of what I know with some other coaches growing up," Doellman said. "Keep your head straight. ... He tells me what I do right and do wrong almost every game."

The 6-foot-9, 210-pound freshman says it's an honor being mentioned with his father, whom Doellman lists as his most admired person in the Xavier media guide.

Xavier radio play-by-play broadcaster and former XU player Joe Sunderman played against the elder Doellman in the late 1970s and calls Doellman's games today.

"They both make their teammates better," Sunderman said, "even though both of them are great shooters."

Doellman expected to make an impact at Xavier this season, though not as a starter. He admitted he was surprised when Matta promoted him after Xavier (8-4) began the season 5-4. As instinctive as he is offensively, Doellman began the season with defensive shortcomings because he lacked the weight to battle big men in the post.

Once he became comfortable playing post defense, he was too talented to keep out of the starting lineup. The Musketeers haven't lost since and take a three-game winning streak into Sunday's game.

"I'm playing the 'four' this year, so I have to guard bigger men," Doellman said. "They are bigger than I've ever had to guard, so I try to use my quickness and get around them."

Doellman still doesn't think of himself as a big man, and he spends most of the time on offense on the perimeter, leaving plenty of space in the lane for Myles.

"With a big man guarding me, I can step out and maybe draw him away from Anthony Myles or another big man on the weak side," Doellman said. "Or against a guard, I can post him up. I bring a lot of versatility."

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com