Scouting report: Xavier basketball hosts Montana in search of a 2-0 start
If the primary objective is growth from game to game, then the two areas where Xavier's men's basketball team needs to improve on Friday night when the Montana Grizzlies visit Cintas Center are turnovers and playing a full 40 minutes.
Those were the two areas the Musketeers didn't handle all that gracefully in Monday's season-opening win over Morgan State.
Montana employs a much different style than Morgan State.
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The Grizzlies (0-1) want to make it a half-court game and play at a much slower tempo. Montana loves to get to the foul line. In points generated at the free-throw line, the Grizzlies were one of the top teams in the country last season, so it will be important for Xavier to defend without fouling.
Montana plays with two big men, sometimes three, on the floor together. One of those bigs, Josh Bannan, is a matchup problem because he'll play at the three, four or five. Bannan pairs with forward Dischon Thomas, and together, those two scored 35 of Montana's 63 points in a season-opening loss to Duquense.
The Musketeers are going to need solid performances from Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge and Jerome Hunter off the bench. Xavier should have a backcourt advantage with its guards, so it will be important for Souley Boum, Adam Kunkel and KyKy Tandy to win their matchups as well.
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The Game
Tipoff: 8 p.m. on Friday at Cintas Center
TV/Radio: FS2 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Dickey Simpkins. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WKRC-AM (550). The radio broadcast is also available on the Sirius XM app (985).
Series info: This is the first meeting.
Scouting report
Xavier Musketeers (1-0)
Coach: Sean Miller, 18th season (423-156 overall)
Offense: 74.1 ppg
Defense: 69.2 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
KyKy Tandy (G, 6'2", 3.0 spg)
Zach Freemantle (F, 6'9", 14.0 ppg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 15.0 ppg)
Souley Boum (G, 6'3", 23.0 ppg)
Jack Nunge (F, 7'0", 16.0 ppg)
Montana Grizzlies (0-1)
Coach: Travis DeCuire, ninth season (160-99 overall)
Offense: 63.0 ppg
Defense: 91.0 ppgProjected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Josh Bannan (F, 6'10", 19.0 ppg)
Dischon Thomas (F, 6'9", 16.0 ppg)
Brandon Whitney (G, 6'1", 7.0 ppg)
Aanen Moody (G, 6'3", 5.0 ppg)
Lonnell Martin Jr. (G, 6'4", 2.0 rpg)
Players to watch
Josh Bannan
For his size, Bannan's really skilled. He can play multiple positions, handle the ball, and he's a capable passer for a big man. He's Montana's best player and Xavier would be wise to make him as uncomfortable as possible.
Zach Freemantle
There's going to be a lot of big men on the court on Friday night. If Xavier can win the battle of the bigs it should go a long way in deciding this game. That means Freemantle needs to be a factor at both ends of the floor.
Key to the game
Turnovers
Xavier had a tough time handling Morgan State's pressure in the opener, and while Montana doesn't play the same style as Morgan State, it's still going to be important for the Musketeers to take care of the basketball. Early in the season, the more opportunities Xavier's offense has to get into a rhythm, the quicker it will get to where it needs to be and turnovers disrupt that rhythm.
Rankings
KenPom: Xavier (39), Montana (210)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier basketball hosts Montana in search of a 2-0 start
