By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier University's season could go from bad to worse unless head coach Thad Matta regroups his team in time for Saturday's game at Atlantic 10 West leader Dayton.

Xavier (10-8, 2-4 A-10) is in last place in the division and is off to its poorest start since the 1995-96 season, Xavier's first in the Atlantic 10 Conference and the last time XU failed to make the postseason.

Tired of seeing wasted possessions, Matta will consider switching the starting lineup for the Dayton game by determining his most competitive players from Thursday's and today's practices. Against Dayton (16-3, 6-0) Saturday, Matta wants a group of players on the floor who can execute consistently.

"I want to see who's going to surface out of it," Matta said. "Give me five guys here, five guys there. I don't care who it is. Let's go. ... I want us to get after it in practice and do the small things right. ... Who's getting the job done is what I was concerned about."

The most glaring letdown has been in the interior, where Xavier got little production in Wednesday's loss to George Washington. Starters Anthony Myles and Justin Doellman and backups Will Caudle and Brandon Cole combined for 12 points, 12 fouls, 10 rebounds and eight turnovers. George Washington backup center Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and committed zero turnovers.

"We need to know that we're going to get what we need for 40 minutes," Matta said.

After traveling to Dayton, Xavier hosts No. 8 Cincinnati on Tuesday. Then, Xavier plays four of its final nine games on the road, where the Musketeers are 2-6 so far. A .500 record or better would likely get Xavier into the NIT, but only a lengthy winning streak starting Saturday or an automatic bid by winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament would likely make Xavier an NCAA Tournament candidate. The Musketeers' Ratings Percentage Index is No. 74, according to collegerpi.com Xavier has a strength-of-schedule rated at No. 49. The tough schedule doesn't excuse the Musketeers' recent play, Matta said. Wednesday's loss was the third time Xavier lost consecutive games this season.

"It makes sense to me," Matta said regarding XU's performance versus its schedule, "but I don't like it. I feel like we've put ourselves in position to win every game, except for (George Washington)."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com