The La Salle Explorers open Atlantic 10 Conference play Wednesday, as they host the league's preseason favorite, Xavier Musketeers, at the Tom Gola Arena in Philadelphia, PA (6 p.m. on COMCAST). The Explorers (10-4) are looking to keep their school record nine-game home winning streak intact, while the Musketeers (9-4) are trying to break out of a four-game skid that features three losses.
Currently on a three-game winning streak, La Salle is off to its best start since the 1990-91. On Saturday, behind 19 points for junior Ramon Galloway and sophomore Tyreek Duren, the Explorers defeated Hartford, 73-55.
Meanwhile, after moving up to No. 8 in the college basketball rankings the Musketeers have lost three of their last four games. Of course, a lot of the issues for Xavier stems from its late-game brawl with crosstown rival, Cincinnati, Dec. 10, which led to the suspension of All-American Tu Holloway.
Despite just missing one game, Holloway and the Musketeers haven't been the same since the brawl that also led to the suspension off freshman Dezmine Wells (four games) and Mark Lyons (two games).
On Saturday, Xavier lost to Gonzaga, 72-65. Lyons and Holloway each netted 15 points.