Xavier-Oklahoma Preview

March 16, 2002

GAME: No. 7 Xavier (26-5) vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (28-4)
REGIONAL: West, Second Round
TIME: Sunday, 4:41 p.m. EST
SITE: American Airlines Center; Dallas

Oklahoma took pride in the fact that it wouldn't be pushed around in its NCAA tournament opener. Xavier will test that resolve again in the second round.

The Sooners and Musketeers meet in the West Regional with a spot in the round of 16 on the line.

Second-seeded Oklahoma got involved in a pregame bumping match at midcourt with first-round opponent Illinois-Chicago on Friday. Oklahoma used the incident as motivation and went on to a 71-63 win.

"Whenever we step on the court, we feel like we own it," said Oklahoma's Daryan Selvy, who scored nine straight points during an 18-3 run that broke the game open midway through the first half. "So they were invading our territory. We were serious. I don't know what their intention was."

Aaron McGhee had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Hollis Price shook off two early injuries to score 17 points for Oklahoma. The Sooners have won 13 of their last 14 and spoiled top-ranked Kansas' perfect run through the Big 12 in the conference tournament championship game.

Xavier sent a message about its defense in its opener, holding 10th-seeded Hawaii to 18 second-half points on 20.7 percent shooting (6-for-29) in a 70-58 win on Friday.

The Musketeers, known for their tough, physical play, forced 12 turnovers while recording eight steals and four blocks in the half.

Stifling defense is nothing new to Xavier, which is making its second appearance in the second round in the last six years. The Musketeers are holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting and allowing only 62.1 points per game. They have held opponents to fewer than 60 points 15 times this season.

While clamping down on the defensive end, Xavier also knows how to put games away. On Friday, the Musketeers made 12 of 14 free throws in the final 1:19.

"It's something we've done all year long," said David West, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds. "When we try to match baskets with teams, we can't do that. The way we played in the second half is how we win games, how we've been doing it all year."

Romain Sato added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Lionel Chalmers finished with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals for the Musketeers, winners of nine of their last 10.

Oklahoma won the only previous meeting between the schools, defeating Xavier 101-89 on Dec. 20, 1969, in Huntington, W.Va.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Xavier - F Kevin Frey (8.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F West (18.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg), C Alvin Brown (2.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg), G Chalmers (12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg), G Sato (15.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg). Oklahoma - F McGhee (15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), C Jabahri Brown (4.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), G Ebi Ere (14.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), G Quannas White (7.9 ppg, 4.7 apg), G Price (16.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg).

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Xavier - Automatic bid, Atlantic 10 champion; defeated No. 10 Hawaii 70-58, first round. Oklahoma - Automatic bid, Big 12 champion; defeated No. 15 Illinois-Chicago 71-63, first round.

ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD: Xavier - 7-13, 14 years. Oklahoma - 24-20, 21 years.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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