Dec. 8, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Led by senior B.J. Raymond's career-high 32 points in its 81-74 win over Auburn on Dec. 3, Xavier climbed to ninth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll released on Monday. Off to their first 7-0 start since 1996-97, the Musketeers are ranked 10th in the Associated Press top 25.

Raymond nailed a career-best seven field goals from behind the arc in Xavier's lone contest of the week and shared A-10 Player of the Week honors with Ahmad Nivins of Saint Joseph's. XU's ranking of 10th in the AP Poll is its highest AP ranking since coming in at No. 10 on Mar. 10, 2008. The Musketeers' ranking of ninth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll is their highest since being ranked a school-record eighth in the final post-NCAA Tournament poll last season and is XU's highest regular season ranking in that poll since reaching No. 9 for two straight weeks in the 1997-98 season (Nov. 30 & Dec. 7, 1997).

The win over Auburn also marked the 100th career victory for head coach Sean Miller. Now in his fifth season as head coach of the Musketeers, Miller boasts a career record of 100-39. XU has won 14 consecutive home contests and returns to action on Dec. 10 when it hosts Ohio at 7:30pm.

Dayton is receiving votes in both polls after it earned a 54-50 win at Akron on Dec. 6 to improve to 8-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. UD visits Creighton on Dec. 10 at 8:05pm.