Welcome to the second installment of “The Student Section Supports”, where we take a look at one specific matchup that has the potential to either be a surprising upset or an extremely tight game between two evenly matched teams. Generally speaking, this segment will steer clear of the top, marquee matchups due to the fact that there will be plenty of press about those games, anyway. Today CHJ checks out a contest over the weekend out in Phoenix. Marquette/Wisconsin lived up to the hype last week. Will this game do the same?
XAVIER (8-1): They are the darlings (yet still the giants) and the face of the A10 right now. Another win (and a road one, at that) against a Big 6 school this weekend could really skyrocket the conference’s profile by Monday morning. Xavier is currently ranked 17th in the AP Poll, deserving that praise without question.
Could win because…They are a very dynamic team and have the ability to rely on any number of players to deliver the goods when they really need production in crucial moments. They have six—that’s right, six—players that average double figures in points and four of them are guards. Their ability to spread out defenses and take advantage of slashing through lanes to create chaos is one of their fortes.
Could lose because…Xavier’s one, and only, loss came to the hands of Miami (OH) over a month ago. Since then they’ve handled Indiana, Creighton and Cincinnati. So why can they be beaten on Saturday? Josh Duncan’s knee injury from the Cincinnati game may have a hangover effect, and the Musketeers are to be had on the boards; shooting well is essential for the ‘Teers.
ARIZONA STATE (6-2): As good of a win that this could be for Xavier, it would be even better for the Sun Devils. They aren’t in the forefront of the discussion as to”Who’s who” in the Pac-10 this year, but a win over Xavier would be a resume booster, for SURE. Who’ve the Sun D’s beat? Well, not really anybody, to be honest. An opening season loss against Illinois in Maui was an opportunity that went awry. Only their defeat of LSU on Nov. 21 in Maui was worthy of note.
Could win because…They actually could effectively play the “We’re the underdog in our own house against an Atlantic 10 team?!” motivation card. Also, the fact that Xavier is traveling a couple of time zones away to play in a Pac-10 gym, well, that could be a bigger factor than anyone is talking about. That will speak more to the character of Xavier than the presence of ASU’s home court though.
Could lose because…Unlike Xavier, ASU is led by two players: James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph. Will Xavier be able to shut them down? If that happens, where would the production come from for Trent Johnson’s team? The Sun Devils have looked a little immature on the court a couple of times this year, so can they reign in that tendency and allow their stars to play like stars?
