Xavier vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Game Preview

Xavier comes in off their exhibition victory over Kentucky State to face a similar opponent in game one.  Fairleigh Dickinson is led by their back court which returns their three best players.  Melquan Bolding, their 2 guard is their top returning scorer.  He led the team last season in three pointers and should be a tough match up for Xavier.  He is a player that scan from anywhere.  Their two other leading guards are also explosive but inconsistent scorers. Inside, Fairleigh Dickinson lacks any players taller than 6'7'', so Xavier should have the advantage there.

Here is a more in depth look at Fairleigh Dickinson from an earlier preview of Xavier's Out of Conference games.

Farleigh Dickinson ranked near the bottom in the NCAA last season in almost all team statistical categories, averaging 60.8 points per game and shot 41% from the field.  That all led one of the worst seasons in program history, going 3-23 during the 2011-2012 season.

The Knights return their top two scorers Melquan Bolding and Lonnie Hayes.  Bodling is a Senior Guard who struggles shooting the ball despite leading the team in scoring last season with 15.1 points per game.  He only shoots 29% from three and 35% from the field.  Lonnie Hayes, a Cincinnati native from Harmony Prep, was the second leading scorer for the Knights last season and much like Bolding struggled from the field.  The 6’0’’ guard only shot 25% from three and 34% from the field.

The Knights do lose their top rebounder from last season and do seem to lack much of an inside presence on either end of the floor.

Outlook:

This should be an early season tune-up for the Muskies.  Xavier will have more talent at every position on the floor and on the bench than anything the Knights will have.  The one test Xavier will get is from the Knights two senior guards.  Despite their struggles shooting last year, Xavier’s young guards will need to do a good job defending the two veteran guards who will be looking to have bounce back seasons.  Look for a comfortable win from the Muskies in their season opener.  This will be most likely their weakest opponent of the year.