• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Arizona State a tough test for Xavier

Dec 15, 2007 - 2:21 PM No. 17 Xavier (8-1) at Arizona State (6-2) 4:00 pm EST

TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Arizona State faces its toughest test this season when it hosts No. 17 Xavier on Saturday.

Despite a trio of starting freshman, Arizona State has won six of its last seven games following a season-opening loss to Illinois.

Freshmen James Harden, Ty Abbott and Jamelle McMillan combined for 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Sun Devils won their second straight game with a 60-43 victory over Coppin State last Saturday.

Harden has been the standout of the three, averaging a team-high 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. He has scored at least 20 points in four games this season.

While the Sun Devils are experiencing a youth movement with freshman making a combined 93 starts over the past two season, Xavier has relied heavily on its experience as no freshman has started a game for the Musketeers in their last two campaigns.

The experience is paying off for Xavier, which has six players - three seniors, two juniors and a sophomore - averaging double figures in scoring this season.

One of the seniors, Drew Lavender, earned Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week honors after scoring 28 points and adding a career-high 10 assists en route to a 79-66 victory over previously unbeaten Creighton on December 5.

Lavender scored 12 points Wednesday, leading Xavier to a 64-59 triumph over intrastate rival Cincinnati. The Musketeers have won seven straight games.