The Xavier Musketeers have gotten off to a not so pretty but very impressive 5-0.  It’s not even December and XU can boast of wins over the Big12’s Missouri, the ACC’s Virginia Tech and #12 Memphis.  They are building a fine resume for the post-season. It is a pleasant surprise to see them winning with such holes to offensively.
 
The Musketeers are gutsy, they know how to win and their defense fuels their tenacity.  That is a testament to the leadership of their five returning lettermen.  The ingredients are their for mixing up another special season. There are still many question marks so lets take a look at the good and bad that we have seen from this cast of players so far.

CJ Anderson – Heart and soul of this team and will not be denied.  Must keep his cool and stay in close games because that is where the team needs him the most.

BJ Raymond – Musketeers can’t rely on him to bail them out every time they get behind because he is just too streaky a shooter.  They showed they have overcome that hurdle in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off as Raymond was just 3-15 from behind the arc.

Derrick Brown – Slowed by a sprained ankle he relied way to heavily on his jump shot in Peurto Rico.  If Holloway learns to throw him the alley-oop pass he will be back to his old ways.

Jason Love – Just a solid player.  He looks like one of the most improved players AGAIN on this roster.  Is showing that he is capable of hitting FT’s in the clutch.

Dante Jackson – The sophomore is still raw offensively.  Has great enthusiasm and brings it on defense.

Jamel MacLean – Great energy off the bench can score down low.  He will lose minutes if he can’t shoot free throws late in the game. 

Kenny Frease – His shots were not falling in P.R.  but clearly has shown the tools to be one of the greats at the school.

Terrell Holloway – The point guard grew up in a hurry and did it under big time pressure with two 10-10 games at the foul line against Missouri & Memphis – what moxy.  It remains to be seen whether he can take the rigors of a full college season while running the show.

Brad Redford - a bit on the smallish side to earn extended minutes at this point.  He is a real shooting specialist and should slide right into that role with ease as the year wears on.

College Hoops brad redford, terrell holloway, kenny frease, jamel maclean, dante jackson, jason love, derrick brown, cj anderson, bj raymond, xavier musketeers, musketeers, xavier, puerto rico tip-off, x-report, missouri, memphis, virginia tech