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Schedule toughening in A-10
Just as Dayton faced a tough ACC opponent on the road two seasons ago in North Carolina, Xavier will take its shot this season by playing Duke in East Rutherford, N.J.
“We don’t want to overplay it,” Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski said, “but the chance to play a national TV game against a program with the success and tradition of Duke was too good to pass up.”
The game reflects coach Sean Miller’s emphasis on toughening the Musketeers’ nonconference schedule. Last season, XU established itself as an NCAA Tournament contender by faring well against teams such as Indiana and Kansas State in the regular season.
This game underscores the Atlantic 10 Conference’s new emphasis on scheduling. The conference has worked out a plan that says the teams at the top should face the toughest competition while the teams in the middle should play opponents that can help their RPI and the bottom teams should play anyone they can beat.
The difference so far has been that Xavier holds a realistic chance of beating Duke. In the past few years, the Flyers haven’t held the same success in beating big-conference teams away from home. Pittsburgh, of course, was at home. Louisville was a big win for Dayton last season, but it came against a less-than-full-strength Cardinals team.
That could change in the next season or two, as Dayton brings in local recruits about whom fans are excited — Josh Benson, Matt Kavanaugh, Juwan Staten.
Regardless of how Flyers supporters feel about Xavier, they should root for a Musketeers win against Duke. That kind of victory would look very good for the conference — and look even better if UD can break its losing streak against XU.
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