By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Next October, Xavier University will find out what it is like to replace three of the most successful seniors in the program's history.

Romain Sato, Lionel Chalmers and Anthony Myles finished their careers Sunday as the leaders of Xavier's NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight. Sato and Chalmers will leave Xavier as the winningest players in school history with 99 career victories in four years.

The seniors' achievements, including four NCAA Tournament appearances in four years for Sato and Chalmers, give Xavier plenty of momentum on which to build. Xavier coach Thad Matta thanked them Sunday night after the Musketeers returned from Atlanta.

"I wanted to reiterate to them what they accomplished," Matta said. "They're the all-time winningest class in school history."

Translating that into on-court success next season might involve some rebuilding, but that's nothing new for Xavier. This season, the Musketeers learned how to play without David West.

Six players who did not play this season will be mixed in with Xavier's returning players. The makeup of the Musketeers' lineup could change dramatically, depending on the impact of incoming freshmen, transfers and redshirt players who sat out this season.

Dedrick Finn fires in a 3-pointer at the buzzer over Duke's Chris Duhon to give Xavier the lead at the half Sunday. (Craig Ruttle photo)

What Xavier coaches know for sure is that two starters, forwards Justin Cage and Justin Doellman, will return with expanded roles as sophomores. Reserve point guard Dedrick Finn and forward Brandon Cole will compete for starting spots as well. Finn averaged 12.8 points in the NCAA Tournament. He was also an emotional leader who accepted his role as a backup after losing a starting spot in February.

"We've got a lot of work to do for next year," Finn said after Xavier's loss to Duke Sunday in the regional final. "I've learned that whatever happens, just stay together, and it will get you far."

Swingman Keith Jackson will be the only senior next year. His contributions diminished considerably during the second half of the season when an ankle injury and a seven-man rotation cut his minutes.

Potential is the buzzword surrounding the incoming players.

Vanderbilt transfer Brian Thornton is expected to have an immediate impact in the front court. down low. He spent most of this season recovering from knee surgery in October while sitting out per transfer rules.

Thornton had been one of two transfers for next season, but DeForrest Riley-Smith, formerly of Penn State and Winton Woods, is no longer with the team because of personal reasons, and likely will not return.

Moeller's Josh Duncan will contend for a starting position at forward after being named second team All-Ohio. Two highly touted guards will enter as freshmen, Churchill Odia, from Montrose Christian (Md.) School, and Stanley Burrell, from Hargrave Military (Va.) Academy. An ankle injury kept Odia from playing for Montrose this season. He has not yet signed a letter of intent, but has given a solid verbal commitment to attend Xavier next season.

Redshirt freshman forward Boubacar Coly could be an athletic addition inside if he is able to play at full speed next season after undergoing knee surgery this year.

Forward Angelo Smith will return after injuring his shoulder this season, and Will Caudle should be healthy next season after missing much of this year with tonsilitis.

Robert Barker underwent a fourth knee surgery during this, his redshirt season, and his ability to play will be determined by his rehabilitation.

XAVIER'S PROJECTED ROSTER FOR 2004-05

Name	Class	Pos.	Ht.	PPG	Hometown
Dedrick Finn	Jr.	G	6-1	8.5	Newburgh, Ind.
Keith Jackson	Sr.	F	6-6	2.4	Cincinnati
Justin Cage	So.	F	6-6	4.6	Indianapolis
Justin Doellman	So.	F	6-9	7.3	Union, Ky.
Brandon Cole	So.	F	6-8	3.1	Richton Park, Ill.
Will Caudle	Jr.	F	6-9	2.8	Indianapolis
Angelo Smith	Jr.	F	6-8	0.5	Indianapolis
Brian Thornton	Jr.	C	6-8	Transfer	Louisville
Boubacar Coly	Fr.	F	6-9	Redshirt	Senegal
Robert Barker	Fr.	G	6-5	Redshirt	Greensburg, Ind.
Churchill Odia	Fr.	G	6-6	Injured	Rockville, Md.
Josh Duncan	Fr.	F	6-8	16.1	Cincinnati
Stanley Burrell	Fr.	G	6-2	10.5	Indianapolis
Keenan Christiansen	Jr.	G	6-4	0.5	Greenville, Pa.*

*Walk-on

---

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com