Game Preview: LSU Tigers vs Xavier Musketeers

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2009

LSU Tigers (8-3) vs. Xavier Musketeers (7-4)

The LSU Tigers will tip off at the Cintas Center against the Musketeers of Xavier on Tuesday night in Cincinnati, OH.

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The two teams have only played each other two times in the last 30 years, each splitting a decision, with the then No. 15 Musketeers beating the Tigers 80-70 on Jan 24, 2009.

Sophomore guard Jordan Crawford made four free throws in the last 23 seconds as Xavier held on for a 70-67 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday night. Crawford, a transfer from Indiana, leads the team with an 18.5 scoring average and is pulling down five rebounds a game. The win set a school record for 15 consecutive home victories. The Musketeers are 126-17 in 10 seasons at home for a .881 winning percentage, including a 64-7 record in non-conference games. The rebuilding process for Xavier has had its ups and downs against a challenging schedule, but seems to be gelling heading into this years conference play. The Musketeers have a legitimate shot at winning a fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 title behind the play of senior forward Jason Love who averaging 10.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

The Tigers are coming of a heartbreaking 72-70 loss in overtime to Washington State in the Cougar Hardwood Classic on Tuesday night. Junior guard Bo Spencer missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds that would have given LSU the win. Spencer led LSU with 23 points, while Tasmin Mitchell added 18. Mitchell was averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds through his first 11 outings, which ranked him third in the SEC. Sophomore forward Storm Warren was leading the SEC in rebounding coming into the game with Washington, with an average of 10.7 per game. The Tigers will need to improve their shooting if they want to beat Xavier. They were shooting just 42.6 percent from the field through their first 11 games, and only 29.8 percent for 3-pointers, last in the SEC through Dec. 27. They shot only 35.4 percent overall and made only 6 of 23 3-point attempts in the loss to the Cougars.

The odds makers have the Musketeers at –10-point favorites.

Expect Xavier to jam the paint forcing the Tigers to try and find their 3-point game, which will be nonexistent. The Musketeers win and cover the spread.

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