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Editor's Early Preview (12/15):

Win or lose, this is a big moment for Xavier as the program makes its regular season debut on network television. So far, the Musketeers have stepped up to every challenge, but a neutral court Meadowlands meeting with Duke is their hardest test yet. Regardless of what the rankings say, Duke will no doubt be the favorite and they're my early pick here.

Christmas is coming a bit early this year for college hoops fans, as this weekend features a number of big match-ups. So forget about doing any last-minute shopping (that’s what the internet is for), grab a drink, and settle in for a great weekend of hoops. Here’s a few games to keep an eye on.

 

Saturday, Dec. 20.

 

On one of college basketball's better early Saturdays, #9 Xavier (8-0) takes on Cincinnati (6-1) in a battle for Ohio supremacy. This was a great game last year, a defensive slugfest in which Xavier came out on top, 64-59. Expect nothing different from this annual battle for bragging rights in Ohio.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: 

Tony Gaffney (Sr.), Massachusetts.  While others may have scored more points, no player helped his team any greater on both ends of the floor than did Gaffney.  For the week, Gaffney averaged a double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds per game), and also intimidated opponents by swatting away five shots per outing, including a nine block effort against Boston College.  A model of efficiency on the offensive end as well, the senior shot 67% in UMass’ two close defeats.

BYU (7-0)

Davidson (5-1)

Dayton (7-0)

Gonzaga (5-0)

Memphis (5-1)

Xavier (7-0)

Other (Post Who Below)

20 Random Rants, Thoughts, and Observations from the Week in College Basketball by CollegeHoops.net Editor Shawn Siegel:

1 - Jonny Flynn is even better than I ever gave him credit for. He's more than just a speed guy.. he's a money point guard.

2 - Syracuse needs to do some serious work on their ole 2-3 zone. The problem right now is simply personnel. They don't have enough length & height to really cause havoc with their traps.

3 - Damion James (Texas) is up there right now for the Least-Improved Player award.

 

Clip of the Day

 

Thanks to the genius of YouTube, the world has access to thousands of great college basketball videos to keep us busy every second of every day.  We'll be featuring daily movies to whet your college basketball appetite. Even if you've seen them before, some clips are just too good not to watch again and again.

 

Preview & Prediction: By Raphielle Johnson » Read More » Tags GameNight Missouri Xavier Sean Miller: Xavier Head Coach Q&A November 5th, 2008 by Shawn Siegel