Xavier Musketeers seek improvement against Kent State

There are plenty of things Xavier needs to clean up following its season-opening win on Tuesday over Niagara, and Friday presents an opportunity to do that when Kent State visits Cintas Center (6:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1). 

One sloppy game is only a problem if it spreads from game to game.

More:'He was the reason we won the game': Scruggs helps Xavier survive season-opening scare from Niagara

Xavier has to address the toughness, physicality and attack the glass against Kent State, head coach Travis Steele told reporters Thursday in his pre-game press conference. Those three areas are key. 

Friday is Kent State's season-opener and the Golden Flashes use physicality and a lot of high-ball screens to get their guards, who are older and more experienced, moving downhill. The Musketeers (1-0) weren't great in those two departments against Niagara, so both should be a point of emphasis on Friday. 

Kent State lost its top two scorers from last season but returns a pair of double-digit scorers in Tervell Beck and Malique Jacobs, as well as Giovanni Santiago, who shot 45% from 3-point range last season. 

More:Analysis: The good and the bad from Xavier basketball's season-opening win over Niagara

Kent State also added several notable transfers in Sincere Carry (Duquesne), Andrew Garcia (Georgia) and DJ Johnson (Rhode Island). 

The Game

• Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Cintas Center
• TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play and analysis from Chris Vosters and Dickey Simpkins. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WKRC-AM (550).
• Series info: Xavier leads the series 14-4. 

Scouting Report

Xavier Musketeers (1-0)

Coach: Travis Steele, fourth season (52-37 overall)

Offense: 63.0 ppg

Defense: 60.0 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Paul Scruggs (G, 6'5", 17.0 ppg)

Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 9.0 rpg)

Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 16.0 ppg)

Dieonte Miles (F, 6'10", 9.0 ppg)

Nate Johnson (G, 6'4", 3.0 ppg)

More:Xavier Musketeers basketball: Update on Zach Freemantle's surgery, recovery

Kent State Golden Flashes (15-8 last season)

Coach: Rob Senderoff, 11th season (196-129 overall)

Offense: 76.7 ppg

Defense: 71.1 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Tervell Beck (F, 6'7", 11.7 ppg)

Malique Jacobs (G, 6'4", 10.0 ppg)

Giovanni Santiago (G, 6'1", 9.1 ppg)

Justyn Hamilton (F, 6'11", 6.8 rpg)

Andrew Garcia (G, 6'6", 8.7 ppg)

Players to watch

Giovanni Santiago

Santiago started all 23 games last season and shot 45% from 3-point range with a team-high 51 baskets from beyond the arc. He also led Kent State in assists last season so he's an integral part of the Golden Flashes' offense. Santiago, a local product, starred at Hughes High School. 

Dwon Odom

The sophomore had a rough game in Xavier's opener. His defense was lacking and the confidence he played with offensively in the exhibition game wasn't there. Odom's greatest asset is his spark. He can make an imprint on the game in a bunch of different ways, he just has to find consistency doing it. 

Key to the game

Physicality

Xavier lacked physicality in its opener against Niagara. Kent State likes to play a physical, tough brand of basketball. The Musketeers have to be up for that challenge for 40 minutes.