Tu Holloway struggled with his teammates in the first half but rallied to take over against Western Michigan on Friday at the Cintas Center.
Trailing by nine points at halftime, Xavier was in danger of losing its first ever Cintas Center opener in the 10-years of the building's existence.
The Broncos won 18 games last season and built a nine-point lead at the break by boxing out on the defensive boards and taking care of the basketball. Their guards held Holloway to 1-for-5 from the field in the first half.
But Holloway took control of the game and scored 20 or his 25 points after WMU built an 11-point advantage with the first score of the second half.
"The bigger the moment, the bigger Tu plays," Xavier coach Chris Mack said.
Xavier is missing two veteran players in addition to the loss of leading scorer, Jordan Crawford and leading rebounder Jason Love. Brad Redford, tore the ACL in his knee in pre-season practice and Jamal McClean broke a bone under his eye socket in an exhibition game.
Holloway had to step up when the going got tough.
Western Michigan had only four turnovers and allowed Xavier just one offensive rebound in the first half but seven turnovers and seven offesive rebounds by the Musketeers, cost the Broncos the upset.
"Our problems came on the offensive end," Western Michigan coach, Steve Hawkins said. "When we started turning the ball over, we became disorganized in transition. Holloway showed what he can do late in the game. He took over. He was very aggressive."
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer and a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
No Silver for Votto Either NL's Best Hitting Team is Shut Out
Albert Pujols was chosen by players and coaches over Joey Votto for the second day in a row. The National League's best hitting team was shut out for The Silver Slugger Awards.
The Silver Slugger award for the best offensive player at each position went to Pujols as did the Gold Glove award on Wednesday.
Players and coaches tend to dismiss statistics when making their choices.
Pujols hit more five more home runs (42-37) and drove in three more runs (118-113) than Votto. Votto finished second to Carlos Gonzalez, who won one of the OF Silver Sluggers, with a .324 batting average. Votto led the league with a .424 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage.
Players and coaches, however, give more weight to ability than statistics. It is hard to argue that Pujols does not deserve the award over Votto, although the less established Votto showed signs of equal talent.
The Baseball Writers will announce the Most Valuable Player Award, chosen by its members on November 22. Votto may get the award despite Pujols success with the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
Votto was the best hitter on the top hitting team. He did not have the luxury of another Silver Slugger winner, Matt Holladay batting behind him a Pujols did. Pujols team had this advantage and the top two starting pitcher in the National League Central. Yet Votto led the team that finished five games ahead of Pujols' Cardinals.
The Silver Slugger winners were:
C Brian McCann
1B Albert Pujols
2B Dan Uggla
3B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Troy Tulowitzki
OF Ryan Braun
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Matt Holliday
P Yovanni Gallardo
The Silver Slugger award for the best offensive player at each position went to Pujols as did the Gold Glove award on Wednesday.
Players and coaches tend to dismiss statistics when making their choices.
Pujols hit more five more home runs (42-37) and drove in three more runs (118-113) than Votto. Votto finished second to Carlos Gonzalez, who won one of the OF Silver Sluggers, with a .324 batting average. Votto led the league with a .424 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage.
Players and coaches, however, give more weight to ability than statistics. It is hard to argue that Pujols does not deserve the award over Votto, although the less established Votto showed signs of equal talent.
The Baseball Writers will announce the Most Valuable Player Award, chosen by its members on November 22. Votto may get the award despite Pujols success with the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
Votto was the best hitter on the top hitting team. He did not have the luxury of another Silver Slugger winner, Matt Holladay batting behind him a Pujols did. Pujols team had this advantage and the top two starting pitcher in the National League Central. Yet Votto led the team that finished five games ahead of Pujols' Cardinals.
The Silver Slugger winners were:
C Brian McCann
1B Albert Pujols
2B Dan Uggla
3B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Troy Tulowitzki
OF Ryan Braun
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Matt Holliday
P Yovanni Gallardo
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Silver and Gold Keys to Winning Baseball
Manager Dusty Baker said of the Big Red Machine, "They won with silver and gold."
He was referring to "Silver Slugger" and "Gold Glove" awards.
The Reds had three players win the defensive honor on Wednesday.
Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and Bronson Arroyo were awarded the Gold Glove.
It is the first time that Cincinnati claimed four winners since C Johnny Bench, 2B Joe Morgan, SS Dave Concepcion and CF Cesar Geronimo won four years in a row from 1974-1977.
For Rolen his eighth award put him behind just Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10) for 3B Gold Gloves.
"I like to think of it as an unselfish act," Rolen said. "I think our defense won a lot of games."
Arroyo unseated Adam Wainwright, who was the 2009 winner. Greg Maddux was the perennial winner until his retirement.
"It is not something that you think to much of as a pitcher. It is mostly reaction. I was not something that I anticipated," Arroyo said. "It's icing on the cake. I was shocked."
Phillips won the award for the second time in three years.
"It takes a lot of hard work," Phillips said. "I work on pop ups and fielding balls in the hole. I try to be the pitchers best friend.
Arroyo know the value of good friends.
"Having good infield defense can get a pitcher out of some bad situations. If they turn a double play or just make a throw to get an out or save a base, it really helps a pitcher."
Joey Votto was considered in the voting by players and coaches. Albert Pujols won the vote at 1B.
Shane Victorino, Michael Bourn and Carlos Gonzalez, edged Jay Bruce for an outfield award.
Baker would like to see Votto, Bruce and Drew Stubbs join the gold rush.
"I look back at plays that save runs," Baker said. "Stats don't always tell you a lot. Some players get to balls others don't and even players that make a error, make one because they get to balls that others don't. I had four gold glove winners in San Francisco. I look for guys like Joey, Jay and Stubbs to win one."
"As these guys get more established in the big leagues, I think you'll see these guys win one," Rolen added.
The Reds defense turned in 106 errorless games in 2010, seven more than the previous best year in franchise history which was 99 in 1992.
From May 4-16 the Reds put together a streak of 11 games without a miscue, the longest stretch since a 13-game streak in 1997.
He was referring to "Silver Slugger" and "Gold Glove" awards.
The Reds had three players win the defensive honor on Wednesday.
Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and Bronson Arroyo were awarded the Gold Glove.
It is the first time that Cincinnati claimed four winners since C Johnny Bench, 2B Joe Morgan, SS Dave Concepcion and CF Cesar Geronimo won four years in a row from 1974-1977.
For Rolen his eighth award put him behind just Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10) for 3B Gold Gloves.
"I like to think of it as an unselfish act," Rolen said. "I think our defense won a lot of games."
Arroyo unseated Adam Wainwright, who was the 2009 winner. Greg Maddux was the perennial winner until his retirement.
"It is not something that you think to much of as a pitcher. It is mostly reaction. I was not something that I anticipated," Arroyo said. "It's icing on the cake. I was shocked."
Phillips won the award for the second time in three years.
"It takes a lot of hard work," Phillips said. "I work on pop ups and fielding balls in the hole. I try to be the pitchers best friend.
Arroyo know the value of good friends.
"Having good infield defense can get a pitcher out of some bad situations. If they turn a double play or just make a throw to get an out or save a base, it really helps a pitcher."
Joey Votto was considered in the voting by players and coaches. Albert Pujols won the vote at 1B.
Shane Victorino, Michael Bourn and Carlos Gonzalez, edged Jay Bruce for an outfield award.
Baker would like to see Votto, Bruce and Drew Stubbs join the gold rush.
"I look back at plays that save runs," Baker said. "Stats don't always tell you a lot. Some players get to balls others don't and even players that make a error, make one because they get to balls that others don't. I had four gold glove winners in San Francisco. I look for guys like Joey, Jay and Stubbs to win one."
"As these guys get more established in the big leagues, I think you'll see these guys win one," Rolen added.
The Reds defense turned in 106 errorless games in 2010, seven more than the previous best year in franchise history which was 99 in 1992.
From May 4-16 the Reds put together a streak of 11 games without a miscue, the longest stretch since a 13-game streak in 1997.
Reds Defense is Full of Gold Phillips, Rolen and Arroyo
Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and Bronson Arroyo won gold gloves this season.
For Phillips it was his second. He won the honor in 2008. He committed just three errors during the regular season and made many outstanding plays.
It was the eighth for Rolen, who last won it in 2006.
Arroyo won the honor for the first time.
For Phillips it was his second. He won the honor in 2008. He committed just three errors during the regular season and made many outstanding plays.
It was the eighth for Rolen, who last won it in 2006.
Arroyo won the honor for the first time.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Gray and Wanninger Get Taste of NCAA in 90-46 Win
Amber Gray, wearing a protective mask and Ashley Wanninger joined a talented group of seniors led by Amber Harris and Ta'Shia Phillips against Division II Bellarmine.
The Knights were know match for the more taller Musketeers as Xavier rolled to a 90-46 win at the Cintas Center.
Wanninger, who was finished her high school career at Colerain in the top 25 all-time in field goal percentage with 37.6% hit her first two 3-point shots in the last 10 minutes of the game. Gray played excellent post defense and will help spell Phillips, who pulled in a whopping 22 rebounds in the contest. Gray pulled in six rebounds and added four points.
"The newcomers played hard," coach Kevin McGuff said. "They are not comfortable with our system yet, so all I can ask of them is to play hard."
Phillips is already the Musketeers career leader with 1,156 for an average of 11.7 per game. She pulled in 20 rebounds or more three times last season and owns a Xavier single game record of 25 set on November 19, 2008 at North Carolina.
"She did a lot of work on her body in the off-season and it showed today," McGuff said.
Phillips is visually lighter than she was in her first three seasons a Xavier.
Xavier scrimmaged a Division I team earlier in a closed session but NCAA rules prohibit McGuff from revealing who it was.
"It was a team that matched up better with us talent wise," McGuff said.
The Knights were know match for the more taller Musketeers as Xavier rolled to a 90-46 win at the Cintas Center.
Wanninger, who was finished her high school career at Colerain in the top 25 all-time in field goal percentage with 37.6% hit her first two 3-point shots in the last 10 minutes of the game. Gray played excellent post defense and will help spell Phillips, who pulled in a whopping 22 rebounds in the contest. Gray pulled in six rebounds and added four points.
"The newcomers played hard," coach Kevin McGuff said. "They are not comfortable with our system yet, so all I can ask of them is to play hard."
Phillips is already the Musketeers career leader with 1,156 for an average of 11.7 per game. She pulled in 20 rebounds or more three times last season and owns a Xavier single game record of 25 set on November 19, 2008 at North Carolina.
"She did a lot of work on her body in the off-season and it showed today," McGuff said.
Phillips is visually lighter than she was in her first three seasons a Xavier.
Xavier scrimmaged a Division I team earlier in a closed session but NCAA rules prohibit McGuff from revealing who it was.
"It was a team that matched up better with us talent wise," McGuff said.
Xavier Women Take the Court With Local Talent
Amber Gray, Jessica Pachko and Ashley Wanninger competed against each other in the Greater Miami Conference. Now they open the 2010-2011 season as Xavier Musketteers in an exhibition game against Bellarmine University.
Xavier is top five team in the Associated Press Poll and are ranked sixth in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll.
The Musketeers nearly reached the women's final four last season. A pair of missed layups prevented them from advancing to the final four, suffering a painful 55-53 loss to Stanford.
Gray was the top player in the GMC at Lakota West. She accepted a scholarship to Tennessee but was granted a medical waiver to transfer and compete without sitting out a season.
Pachko played at Oak Hills and signed with Marquette. She must sit out this season as required by NCAA rules. Pachko will have two years of eligibility at Xavier. She scored 1,410 points for the Highlanders in high school, more than any other player male or female.
Wanninger played at Colerain and signed directly with Xavier. Wanninger was named All-Ohio in Division I after her senior season at Colerain. She played under Christy Mack, the wife of Xavier's men's coach, Chris Mack.
Xavier is top five team in the Associated Press Poll and are ranked sixth in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll.
The Musketeers nearly reached the women's final four last season. A pair of missed layups prevented them from advancing to the final four, suffering a painful 55-53 loss to Stanford.
Gray was the top player in the GMC at Lakota West. She accepted a scholarship to Tennessee but was granted a medical waiver to transfer and compete without sitting out a season.
Pachko played at Oak Hills and signed with Marquette. She must sit out this season as required by NCAA rules. Pachko will have two years of eligibility at Xavier. She scored 1,410 points for the Highlanders in high school, more than any other player male or female.
Wanninger played at Colerain and signed directly with Xavier. Wanninger was named All-Ohio in Division I after her senior season at Colerain. She played under Christy Mack, the wife of Xavier's men's coach, Chris Mack.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sparky Anderson Passes
The "Main Spark" of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine died today near his hometown of Thousand Oaks, California.
He was 76.
At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service.
The family also requests any donations be made to CATCH, Sparky’s charity for children in Detroit, or the charity of one’s choice.Donations to CATCH may be made online at http://www.catchcharity.org/ or mailed to:
CATCH
223 Fisher Building
3011 West Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48202
Sparky gave all the credit for his success to his players. It takes a special person, though, to lead a group of players with the enormous egos to the heights they reached.
On a personal level, he was the type that made you feel important, even though he hardly knew you.
For one personal anecdote, I was covering the Reds in spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida about five years ago. The Reds were playing the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. Sparky was talking to George Steinbrenner in the box seats as I was walking in the aisle toward the press box two rows behind them. Anderson spotted me and made a point to leave Steinbrenner, walk up the two rows and greet me.
As a non-essential person in the baseball world, that made me feel like I belonged. That was Sparky's way. There was not one usher, grounds crew member or fan that Sparky would not acknowledge and have a conversation with.
The world is slightly diminished today with the loss of such a man.
He was 76.
At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service.
The family also requests any donations be made to CATCH, Sparky’s charity for children in Detroit, or the charity of one’s choice.Donations to CATCH may be made online at http://www.catchcharity.org/ or mailed to:
CATCH
223 Fisher Building
3011 West Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48202
Sparky gave all the credit for his success to his players. It takes a special person, though, to lead a group of players with the enormous egos to the heights they reached.
On a personal level, he was the type that made you feel important, even though he hardly knew you.
For one personal anecdote, I was covering the Reds in spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida about five years ago. The Reds were playing the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. Sparky was talking to George Steinbrenner in the box seats as I was walking in the aisle toward the press box two rows behind them. Anderson spotted me and made a point to leave Steinbrenner, walk up the two rows and greet me.
As a non-essential person in the baseball world, that made me feel like I belonged. That was Sparky's way. There was not one usher, grounds crew member or fan that Sparky would not acknowledge and have a conversation with.
The world is slightly diminished today with the loss of such a man.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Arroyo and Gomes Back in 2011. Harang and Cabrera May Not
The Reds exercised its options on Bronson Arroyo and Jonny Gomes, assuring their return for 2011.
The Reds did not exercise it options on Aaron Harang and Orlando Cabrera, making them free agents. Both could be signed by the Reds during the free agent process.
LHP Phillipe Valiquette and Catcher Devin Mesoraco have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star game. The Rising Stars game will be played Saturday at 9:00pm eastern time at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.
Valiquette showed a strong arm in Goodyear last year during spring training but needed work on his command. He was 4-1 with five saves in 54 games with a 4.15 ERA at Carolina and Louisville last season.
Mesoraco was the Reds first pick out of Puxatawny High School in 2007. He hit .302 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in his three stops in the Reds chain. He played at Lynchburg, Carolina and Louisville last season. In his Louisville debut he belted a walk-off grand slam and followed that up with a grand slam in his first at bat in the very next game.
The Reds did not exercise it options on Aaron Harang and Orlando Cabrera, making them free agents. Both could be signed by the Reds during the free agent process.
LHP Phillipe Valiquette and Catcher Devin Mesoraco have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star game. The Rising Stars game will be played Saturday at 9:00pm eastern time at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.
Valiquette showed a strong arm in Goodyear last year during spring training but needed work on his command. He was 4-1 with five saves in 54 games with a 4.15 ERA at Carolina and Louisville last season.
Mesoraco was the Reds first pick out of Puxatawny High School in 2007. He hit .302 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in his three stops in the Reds chain. He played at Lynchburg, Carolina and Louisville last season. In his Louisville debut he belted a walk-off grand slam and followed that up with a grand slam in his first at bat in the very next game.
Sparky Anderson in Hospice, Jocketty Wins Executive of the Year, Sweet Returns
Sad news comes from Thousand Oaks, California.
Sparky Anderson, the pilot of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's has been placed in hospice by his family for complications resulting from dimentia.
Anderson's wife Carol, sons Lee and Albert and daughter, Shirley Englebrecht, have expressed appreciation to all of those who have shown support and kindness throughout Anderson's career and retirement.
I got to know Anderson after his managing career ended. He was one of the most down-to-earth people anyone would want to meet. He and his wife Carol were always willing to stop and talk baseball or any other subject with people.
Anderson was an unknown and one of the youngest managers in baseball when he took over the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. He had just turned 36 when Bob Howsam named him to the post. He led the Reds to the National League pennant in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1976. The Reds won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 2000. He won the Manager of the Year award in 1984 and 1987 as the manager of the Detroit Tigers, winning the World Series in 1984.
Good News For Reds Player Development
Rick Sweet will return as manager of the Louisville Bats in 2011. Sweet, 58, is the all-time winningest manager in Louisville franchise history at 466-394.
Sweet has been essential to the Reds player development effort. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood, Chris Heisey, Drew Stubbs and Ryan Hanigan all have benefited from Sweet's guidence.
Sweet, who was Ken Griffey Jr's first professional manager, would make a fantastic major league skipper, if given the opportunity. The Reds are fortunate to have him return along with his hitting coach, Smokey Garrett and pitching coach, Ted Power. Tomas Vera, who was very helpful as Aroldis Chapman's interpreter, will also return as trainer.
Walt Jocketty was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News today.
The Reds General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, won the award for the third time.
He also won the award in 2000 and 2004 while with the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the fifth time that a Cincinnati Reds executive won the honor. Warren Giles won it in 1938. Gabe Paul won in 1956. Bob Howsam received it in 1973 and Bob Quinn in 1990.
Bob Feller Turns 92
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller was born in Van Meter, Iowa on November 3, 1918. The fireballing righthander know as "Rapid Robert" made his Major League debut in 1936 at the age of 17 with the Cleveland Indians. When the season ended he returned home to finish high school.
He led the American League in strikeouts seven times, including a then Major League record 348 in 1946.
Feller, who still dresses in uniform and signs autographs, is the All-time Indians leader in wins (266), strikeouts (2,581), complete games (279), starts (484), and innings pitched (3,827).
His numbers would have been higher but he served in the Navy from 1941-1945 during World War II.
Also ret
Sparky Anderson, the pilot of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's has been placed in hospice by his family for complications resulting from dimentia.
Anderson's wife Carol, sons Lee and Albert and daughter, Shirley Englebrecht, have expressed appreciation to all of those who have shown support and kindness throughout Anderson's career and retirement.
I got to know Anderson after his managing career ended. He was one of the most down-to-earth people anyone would want to meet. He and his wife Carol were always willing to stop and talk baseball or any other subject with people.
Anderson was an unknown and one of the youngest managers in baseball when he took over the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. He had just turned 36 when Bob Howsam named him to the post. He led the Reds to the National League pennant in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1976. The Reds won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 2000. He won the Manager of the Year award in 1984 and 1987 as the manager of the Detroit Tigers, winning the World Series in 1984.
Good News For Reds Player Development
Rick Sweet will return as manager of the Louisville Bats in 2011. Sweet, 58, is the all-time winningest manager in Louisville franchise history at 466-394.
Sweet has been essential to the Reds player development effort. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood, Chris Heisey, Drew Stubbs and Ryan Hanigan all have benefited from Sweet's guidence.
Sweet, who was Ken Griffey Jr's first professional manager, would make a fantastic major league skipper, if given the opportunity. The Reds are fortunate to have him return along with his hitting coach, Smokey Garrett and pitching coach, Ted Power. Tomas Vera, who was very helpful as Aroldis Chapman's interpreter, will also return as trainer.
Walt Jocketty was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News today.
The Reds General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, won the award for the third time.
He also won the award in 2000 and 2004 while with the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the fifth time that a Cincinnati Reds executive won the honor. Warren Giles won it in 1938. Gabe Paul won in 1956. Bob Howsam received it in 1973 and Bob Quinn in 1990.
Bob Feller Turns 92
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller was born in Van Meter, Iowa on November 3, 1918. The fireballing righthander know as "Rapid Robert" made his Major League debut in 1936 at the age of 17 with the Cleveland Indians. When the season ended he returned home to finish high school.
He led the American League in strikeouts seven times, including a then Major League record 348 in 1946.
Feller, who still dresses in uniform and signs autographs, is the All-time Indians leader in wins (266), strikeouts (2,581), complete games (279), starts (484), and innings pitched (3,827).
His numbers would have been higher but he served in the Navy from 1941-1945 during World War II.
Also ret
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Xavier Defeats Northern Kentucky in Exhibition 73-62
Kenny Frease notched a double-double over the NCAA Division II Norse, which had one 6'-8" player on the roster.
Frease scored 17 points and pulled in 10 rebounds for the Musketeers.
"I've been working on scoring down in the post," Frease said.
Mark Lyons scored 13 points and Jamel McLean scored 12 before leaving the game with 19:17 left in the second half. McLean was felled by a shooters elbow in the first minute of the second stanza. He was on the court for about two minutes before leaving under his own power but was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for evaluation.
"When Jamel went out, I had to step it up," Frease said.
"Kenny did a great job. That's what we're going to need from him. He got six offensive rebounds. For him to do that shows me that he's getting is moving around people. It doesn't matter who its against. It shows he is in better shape," Xavier coach Chris Mack said.
The Musketeers have already lost three-point specialist, Brad Redford, for the season with a knee injury.
Northern Kentucky, which fell to Louisville Sunday 83-66.
The Norse trailed by a 33-30 margin at halftime. They hit 12 of 33 three-point attempts.
"They have a lot of guys that shoot the three," Lyons said. "They make a lot of handoffs off the dribble, that is something different for us."
"We generally we don't see five perimeter players, that rarely throw the ball into the post," Mack said. "NKU is a very good shooting team."
Dennis Gagel scored 15 for Northern Kentucky, all coming from behind the arc. Josh Tabb scored 12 for NKU. Jon Van Hoose added 12 points for the Norse.
Frease scored 17 points and pulled in 10 rebounds for the Musketeers.
"I've been working on scoring down in the post," Frease said.
Mark Lyons scored 13 points and Jamel McLean scored 12 before leaving the game with 19:17 left in the second half. McLean was felled by a shooters elbow in the first minute of the second stanza. He was on the court for about two minutes before leaving under his own power but was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for evaluation.
"When Jamel went out, I had to step it up," Frease said.
"Kenny did a great job. That's what we're going to need from him. He got six offensive rebounds. For him to do that shows me that he's getting is moving around people. It doesn't matter who its against. It shows he is in better shape," Xavier coach Chris Mack said.
The Musketeers have already lost three-point specialist, Brad Redford, for the season with a knee injury.
Northern Kentucky, which fell to Louisville Sunday 83-66.
The Norse trailed by a 33-30 margin at halftime. They hit 12 of 33 three-point attempts.
"They have a lot of guys that shoot the three," Lyons said. "They make a lot of handoffs off the dribble, that is something different for us."
"We generally we don't see five perimeter players, that rarely throw the ball into the post," Mack said. "NKU is a very good shooting team."
Dennis Gagel scored 15 for Northern Kentucky, all coming from behind the arc. Josh Tabb scored 12 for NKU. Jon Van Hoose added 12 points for the Norse.
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