Xavier at Richmond Live Blog

Pre-Game
6:45 - Although Rhode Island lost to Massachusetts to ensure Xavier the outright regular season conference title (its third in a row), there is plenty of motivation for the Musketeers tonight in Virginia. Taking momentum into the postseason is always helpful, but also on the line, and perhaps more importantly, is seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Comedian/Actor Eddie Griffin (Double Take, Undercover Brother, Norbit, etc.) did his part to motivate the Muskies. At the team hotel for reasons unknown, Griffin jumped on the team bus just before departure and said: "Undercover Brother just wanted to wish Xavier good luck tonight. Not that you'll need it, 'cause I've seen you on tv. Do your thing tonight. You know I'll be watching." Thanks, Undercover Brother!

6:55 - Here are tonight's starters: Richmond 4 - Jarhon Giddings, 5 - David Gonzalvez, 12 - Kevin Smith, 14 - Kevin Anderson, 44 - Ryan Butler; Xavier 5 - Derrick Brown, 11 - B.J. Raymond, 20 - C.J. Anderson, 25 - Dante Jackson, 31 - Jason Love.

First Half
7:06 - Coach Sean Miller has emphasized in the short preperation time the uniqueness of the Richmond offense. Based on the Princeton offense, there is a lot of movement and virtual interchangability in among the perimeter players. How the Musketeers deal with ball screens and back door cuts will go a long way to the team's success tonight.

7:10 - It isn't the first time the Musketeers have dealt with the situation, but C.J. Anderson just picked up his second foul less than four minutes into the game and will have to take a seat. This may mean more run for Jamel McLean in the first half.

7:12 - At the first media timeout, Richmond holds an 11-8 advantage. XU has done a tremendous job on the offensive glass, getting four second chance points off three offensive rebounds. With a decisive size advantage, look for the Muskies to continue to exploit the Spiders' smaller front line.

7:21 - Despite entering the game hitting just over one-third of its three-point attempts, Richmond has already hit a pair and now cling to a two-point lead, 18-16. Second chance points update: XU 7 - RU 2.

7:27 - Coach Miller is showing his trust in the older players right now, leaving Jason Love and C.J. Anderson both on the floor despite them both having two fouls. It paid off for the Muskies, with Love going to the line with a chance to hit a free throw for the three-point play.

7:31 - For those watching on tv, you just saw one of the quickest coaching adjustments possible. Seeing the Spiders were going to a 1-3-1 zone, coach Miller knew just the play to call and, after a nice pass by Terrell Holloway, it resulted in a three-pointer by Raymond that made it 27-23 in favor of Richmond.

7:35 - Richmond is shooting the lights out right now, hitting on 11 of their 16 attempts (68.8 percent for those of us who can't do that in their head). It's still only a five-point lead for the Spiders, so it's safe to say that if the Musketeers can shore up the defense, this came could turn around.

7:41 - The lead has balloned to eight, 37-29, for Richmond after Justin Harper hit his second three-pointer, giving him 12 points already. He has shown a great inside-outside ability for a 6-10 sophomore.

7:45 - Holloway has four assists in nine minutes of action thus far, three of which have been on "Wow" plays. His ability as a passer and growth as a player will go a long way to the Musketeers' success in the postseason.

7:52 - Richmond will take an eight-point lead into halftime, 45-37, after an absolutely scorching performance from the field in through the first 20 minutes. But if there is one thing Xavier fans are familiar with, it's the team's ability to dramatically change the course of the game with its defense.

8:19 - The lead has been whittled down to six, thanks to improved intensity on defense for the Musketeers. Richmond has hit just two of its five second-half attempts. One area XU can certainly improve is second-chance points. After holding a 7-2 advantage in that category early in the first half, Xavier is only ahead 11-5 in the category now.

8:21 - Holloway shows his stuff again with that alley-oop to the high-flying Brown. That's five assists to two turnovers for the freshman point guard.

8:28 - Since David Gonzalvez hit a three-pointer with 17:50 on the clock to give the Spiders a nine-point lead, 48-39, the Musketeers have gone on a 14-6 run to pull within one point and have the ball with a chance to take the lead.

8:38 - Brad Redford just hit his first three-pointer of the night to cut the deficit to eight. He has had a couple rim out tonight, but that could heat up the sharp shooter a time when XU needs some offense.

8:41 - With the action heating up here in Robins Center, so have the Spiders' shooters once again. After hitting just three of their first nine attempts in the second half, the Spiders have hit seven of the their last 11 and have increased the margin to eight with just under six minutes to play.

8:46 - Coach Miller has used his last timeout, facing a nine-point deficit after a 5-0 run by Richmond. A pair of free throws by Holloway had pulled the Musketeers within four, but a three-point play by Kevin Anderson and a put back by Jarhon Gidings has pushed the advantage back to nine for the home team.

8:49 - We are in the last media timeout with XU trailing by six after a dead-on three-pointer by B.J. Raymond. He leads the Musketeers with 15 points. That will be our last point with 2:39 to play. Be sur to check www.GoXavier.com for the final results and a recap of tonight's action.