Hi all,
I come bearing notes and lineup changes for tomorrow's 3p.m. Xavier game.
IU (7-13) will meet Xavier (10-6) in a reunion of former IU assistants Tracy Smith and Scott Googins. The two were both assistants in former IU coach Bob Morgan's dugout during his most successful season. In 1996, Morgan's squad IU won the Big Ten tournament championship and made it to the NCAA Regional -- the last time IU accomplished either feat.
Googins has been with Xavier for four years, turning the upstart team into a formidable opponent. The Musketeers beat NC State and Michigan State in reaching their 10-6 record. More than a simple reunion, the Xavier game is a pivotal one for IU's Big Ten season.
A meeting Minnesota awaits this weekend, starting a portion where IU will have to play better and come up with big wins if it has any plans of playing into May or June.
Lineup changes
The game will feature a couple of changes in the left side of the infield, as Jake Dunning will get the nod at third base and Tyler Rogers moves into shortstop.
Squires (1-1) will start his third game of the season. At practice yesterday, he said the game could be huge for morale heading into Friday against the Gophers and Big Ten play. Check tomorrow's edition of the IDS for more coverage and quotes for the Xavier game.
