CINCINNATI -- The highest preseason ranking in Xaviers history was met with a shrug in the locker room. These Musketeers have gotten accustomed to the breakthroughs.No. 7 Xavier put together one of the finest seasons in its history, one that ended with one of its biggest disappointments. A second-round loss to Wisconsin during the NCAA Tournament ended the run prematurely. And now, the Musketeers are back for an encore.We talked about it as a team, guard J.P. Macura said. We figured were going to come back stronger this year and kind of put it past us.Xavier returns the nucleus of a team that went 28-6, was ranked No. 5 for five weeks -- the highest ranking in school history -- and finished second behind Villanova in the Big East. The Musketeers went 6-1 against Top 25 teams and 3-0 against Top 10 teams, and got the first NCAA No. 2 seed in school history.Their burst into national prominence prepared them for more of the same.Weve already had that experience, going through it for a year, junior guard Trevon Bluiett said. Its kind of like we know what to expect rather than just running around like chickens. I think last year definitely prepared us for this year.The Musketeers return four of their top six scorers in Bluiett (15.1 points per game), Myles Davis (10.8), point guard Edmond Sumner (11) and Macura (9.4). Davis, a senior guard, is suspended indefinitely while facing misdemeanor charges alleging he damaged his former girlfriends property.Their biggest loss is on the front line. Forwards James Farr and Jalen Reynolds combined for more than 14 rebounds per game last season. Itll be more of a group effort this time around.Were going to look different, coach Chris Mack said. Thats what college basketball is all about. We may not have one or two guys like a year ago who average close to double figures.Some things to watch:QUICKER BLUIETT: The 6-foot-6 guard dropped his weight from 217 pounds to 194 in the offseason, trying to add quickness and strength. His teammates and coaches have noticed a difference in practice.Whats changed is his ability to sustain his level of play, Mack said. It does make him quicker, so Id like to see him add an ability to get to the rim more than he has in years past. If anything, it should give Trevon the ability to sustain the level of play.SUMNER GROWS UP: Sumner averaged 3.6 assists as a redshirt freshman last season. He showed an ability to dash past defenders for acrobatic moves to the hoop but too often took a difficult shot instead of passing. His charging call set up Wisconsins winning shot in the tournament. Hes more of a vocal leader in practice and showing a more rounded game.When he gets to the rim, he makes better decisions, Mack said. He doesnt force shots. Hes finding those (open) guys really, really well.GATES REHAB: The Musketeers are looking for 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Kaiser Gates to grow into a big role after averaging 10 minutes, 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds last season. He tore cartilage in his left knee and had surgery on Oct. 21. Hes expected back on the court in about two weeks.NEWCOMERS: Senior forward RaShid Gaston sat out last season after transferring from Norfolk State. Forward Malcolm Bernard, a graduate student from Florida A&M, also will help. Freshman guards Tyrique Jones and Quentin Goodin will ease into playing time.I would say Tyrique Jones has kind of stood out because hes a freshman but hes not playing like a freshman, Bluiett said. We need him to play a big role for us. One other guy that stands out to me is Malcolm. 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Cheap Custom Jerseys Store . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Brian ODriscoll believes the reappointment of Andy Farrell to Warren Gatlands British and Irish Lions coaching team would be welcomed by players.Farrell is favourite to reprise the defence role he performed with distinction in 2013 when Australia were dispatched 2-1, with Gatland scheduled to announce his assistants in Dublin on Dec. 7.ODriscoll, a veteran of four Lions tours, insists the players were inspired by the passion displayed by Farrell three years ago.Farrell is good man manager and motivator and we got excited when he started talking. Kick chase became exciting, ODriscoll said.I would imagine if he is brought in the players will continue to be excited. He talked about getting off the line, about no logs on the ground, about making sure youre back on your feet.It was all about energy. The way Farrell talks, he really gets into it. And if he was on the coaching ticket I think he would be a really great addition.Farrell was Englands defence coach until the hosts demise in last autumns World Cup, but has since been recruited by Ireland.Former Ireland captain ODriscoll believes his imprint was stamped all over the historic 40-29 victory over New Zealand in Chicago on Nov. 6.Andy has been incredibly influential. I have spoken to the boys and the very first session that he took they were incredibly excited about what he was saying, the enthusiasm that he had, ODriscoll said.The boys who were on the Lions Tour in 2013 said he has brought his coaching to another level since tthen.ddddddddddddhen I was playing we were all relatively organised defensively as a team, but it was probably one cog that we missed because [head coach] Joe Schmidt was taking it and he had everything to think about.When you give responsibility for defence to one person, I think it only adds value to the team because they are so focused. You have seen it with Wales for many years with Shaun Edwards.Now the players get excited about how their defence goes. Attack for them is an added bonus, but how their defence responds in a game is how they earn their crust.Irelands victory against New Zealand in America was their first taste of success against the world champions in 111 years and on Saturday they face a rematch at the Aviva Stadium.ODriscoll backed Ireland to beat the bookmakers spread of winning by plus 23, winning a couple of quid, nothing life changing but enough to add to a good weekend, and insists they can do it again.Its obviously a bigger challenge because theyve poked the bear. The bear will be not happy about that, ODriscoll said.They wont have the unforced error count that they had. They will be raging from their defeat. Its a black mark on [captain] Kieran Read and [coach] Steve Hansen.Theyve got lots of good marks, dont get me wrong, but the first team to lose to Ireland, they wont want to lose back-to-back games, thats for certain. ' ' '