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CINCINNATI -- Xavier coach Chris Mack saw quite a bit of growth from his team in just two days between a narrow season-opening win over Lehigh to a more decisive 33-point victory over Buffalo on Monday.Its November 14, so we have a lot of room for growth, Mack said. It was by far the best (performance) for our newcomers, which is a really good sign.On Thursday, the 11th-ranked Musketeers begin play in the Tire Pros Invitational at HP Fieldhouse in Orlando, Fla., the site of one of last seasons signature moments when they captured the Advocare Invitational with victories over Alabama, USC and Dayton.Xavier (2-0) will face the Missouri Tigers (1-0), a team they have beaten three straight times. The Musketeers topped Mizzou 78-66 last year at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.We havent really talked about the competition were going to face in Orlando, Xavier senior forward Rashid Gaston said. Were going to play some pretty good teams.Joining the Musketeers and Tigers in Orlando are Oklahoma, Tulane, Northern Iowa, Arizona State, Clemson and Davidson.Like Xavier, Missouri showed significant improvement in recent days.After a seven-point win over Central Missouri in an exhibition game, the Tigers were impressive in routing Alabama A&M 99-44 Sunday in their home opener.We werent very good eight days ago (against Central Missouri), Tigers coach Kim Anderson told the Kansas City Star. and we knew we werent very good.Frankie Hughes scored 23 points against Alabama A&M, tying a school record for points scored in a freshman debut. Missouri is a young team, with three sophomores and two freshmen among the starters.The Tigers will look to extend Xaviers perimeter defense on Thursday. After shooting 31 percent from 3-point range last season, Mizzou drained 8 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc on Sunday.We need outside shooting, because that was a struggle for us last year, obviously, Anderson said.Defense is where Xavier is looking to make its biggest strides. After allowing 81 points to Lehigh, the Musketeers held Buffalo to just 53 on Monday, limiting the Bulls to 31 percent shooting and forcing 21 turnovers.Some of the things we emphasized (in practice) -- taking care of the ball, playing a little bit longer into the shot clock, defensive intensity, crowding the floor a little bit more, I think we took a step forward, Mack said.The Musketeers continue to deal with depth issues. Senior guard Myles Davis is still suspended due to an incident involving his ex-girlfriends property, and sophomore forward Kaiser Gates is working his way back from a knee injury. On Monday, Xavier had four players in double figures, led by Trevon Bluiett with 18 points.Xavier and Missouri have only played six times previously, but there is plenty of history between the two programs.One of the most significant victories in Xaviers program history came against the Tigers in the first round of the 1987 NCAA Tournament. The 70-69 upset win was the first-ever NCAA Tournament victory for the Musketeers. Byron Larkin, now the color analyst on Xaviers radio broadcasts, scored 29 points in that game to lead all scorers.Missouri hasnt beaten the Musketeers since 2001, a 72-60 victory in the Wooden Tradition Classic in Indianapolis. Jurgen Damm Jersey . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Guillermo Ochoa Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/jorge-torres-nilo-mexico-jersey/ . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Jesus Molina Jersey . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Alejandro Palacios Mexico Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. EUGENE, Ore. -- The last time Washington won at Autzen Stadium was in 2002, when the Huskies upset the No. 23 Ducks and then drew the ire of the fans by dancing on the O at midfield.After nearly a decade of dominance within the conference, Oregon (2-3, 0-2 Pac-12) is limping into Saturdays rivalry game against the No. 5 Huskies (5-0, 2-0) with a three-game losing streak, while Washington is rising in its third year under Chris Petersen.The Huskies also defeated Oregon back home in Seattle in 2003, but that was the last time theyve won in the series. The Ducks have since won 12 straight.Following Washingtons 44-6 victory over Stanford last week, fans at Husky Stadium chanted Beat Oregon!While ending the streak may be important to the fan base, it doesnt really change a thing when it comes to Washingtons preparation, Petersen said. He hasnt mentioned the streak to the players.We know its important. But all these games are important. I mean, I want our guys to just do what theyve been doing -- just preparing hard and staying focused on the right things and showing up on Saturday with great energy and playing as a team, Petersen said. You cant tell them, `OK, now were going to prepare really hard. Thats ludicrous.Oregon has totally different concerns at this point. Reeling from the uncharacteristic losses, Oregon may start freshman Justin Herbert at quarterback.Herbert has been competing in practice this week with Dakota Prukop, a graduate transfer who started in Oregons first five games.Prukop completed 14 of 22 passes for 132 yards and one interception in Oregons 51-33 loss at Washington State last weekend. The Ducks showed a spark on their final series when Herbert led the team on an 85-yard drive capped by his 4-yard run for a touchdown.Were going to put the best guy out there, at that and every other position, to help us win this game, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said.PURPLE HAZE: Washington has been the best in the country at getting to the quarterback. The Huskies have 21 sacks through five games, tied with Ohio for the most in the FBS. Eight of those sacks came last week against Stanford as the Huskies defensive line overpoowered the Cardinal on the line of scrimmage.ddddddddddddWhats even more impressive with Washingtons success getting to the quarterback has been its ability to do it without blitzing. Its been the Huskies front four -- sometimes five -- rushers that have recorded most of the quarterback sacks thus far.DYES RETURN: After a mysterious absence last weekend, Oregon freshman linebacker Troy Dye is expected to return against the Huskies. There were rumors about why he didnt travel to Pullman but Helfrich made a point this week of suggesting it was injury-related. Oregon doesnt disclose injuries as policy so its unclear exactly what was going on.Doesnt matter much anyway this week because hes back. Dye has been a bright spot on the Ducks defense, which has struggled this season.Hes just one of those guys that works extremely hard every rep of practice, whether its defense or special teams, Helfrich said. Thats absolutely contagious. We need more guys like that.DAWG SLED: Whether its Myles Gaskin or Lavon Coleman, Washington is getting excellent production from its running backs.After Coleman broke out with 181 yards against Arizona two weeks ago, it was Gaskins turn to show off with 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Stanford. Coleman did his part as well, rushing for 74 yards and a score, and the Huskies finished with 214 yards on the ground against the Cardinal.Thats not good news for Oregon. The Ducks are allowing 210 yards per game on the ground, including 280 yards rushing and six touchdowns to pass-happy Washington State last week.GETTING CLOSER?: Last season the Ducks beat Washington 26-20 in Seattle, which was the closet margin of victory in the 12-game winning streak.WAIT, WHAT?: Oregon will wear navy blue uniforms on Saturday. Yep, you heard that right: navy with yellow accents, ala Michigan and Cal. The throw-way-back uniforms pay homage to the Webfoots team that won the 1916 Rose Bowl. The helmets feature the Oregon state flag.---AP Sports Writer Tim Booth contributed to this report. ' ' '