Xavier Musketeers
Big East (21-13, 9-9)
Xavier is a team that had enough ups and downs this season to leave them squarely on the bubble for most of the last month. It is difficult to gauge the Musketeers because of how lopsided they have played throughout the season. They have proven that they can win a big game, but how confident can they be when they have had a slew of unnecessary losses?
Big Wins: 1/27 at Georgetown (66-53), 2/7 Providence (78-69), 2/21 Butler (73-56)
Bad Losses: 12/20 at Auburn (88-89), 1/3 at DePaul (68-71), 2/4 Creighton (72-79)
Coach: Chris Mack
Why They Can Surprise:
This team is very gifted offensively. They can score from anywhere and they always find the open man. That is evidenced by their assist numbers. They are top-five in the country in assists per game. Led by freshman phenom Trevon Bluiett, the Musketeers boast three players with scoring numbers in double-figures and three other players that log many productive minutes. As a team they shoot nearly 50 percent from the field and are effective from the free throw line. Their efficiency keeps them in games. Generally, the Musketeers are protective of the ball, which helps keep games tight against a skilled opponent. Xavier’s depth could be their greatest asset in the postseason. There are as many as nine players that Chris Mack uses to keep guys fresh. Xavier can go 40 minutes with just about anybody.
Why They Can Disappoint:
They will play teams tough for an entire game, but the Musketeers have not been able to make hay in the Big East. After a strong start, they have been wildly up and down. They began conference play with two wins against ranked teams. Since then, they have not been able to string more than two wins together for any stretch of time, especially against upper echelon Big East teams, until the Big East Tournament. Yet they found a way to beat Butler late in the season. They are 6-3 against Top 25 teams this year. When Xavier plays their best basketball, they are a strong team. The problem is whether or not they can play at a high level every game. They also lack some size and have a hard time on the defensive end, which could spell an early exit.
Probable Starters:
Trevon Bluiett, Freshman, Forward, 11.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg
Matt Stainbrook, Senior, Center, 12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Dee Davis, Senior, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 6.1 apg
Remy Abell, Junior, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 1.2 apg
Myles Davis, Sophomore, Guard, 10.7 ppg, 2.2 apg
Key Roleplayers:
Jalen Reynolds, Sophomore, Forward, 9.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg
J.P. Macura, Freshman, Guard, 5.6 ppg
James Farr, Junior, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.7 (28th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.0 (221, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.8 (24, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.8 (213, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (158, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.4 (119, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.5 (35, 1)
Rebound Margin: 4.1 (53, 2)
Assists Per Game: 16.9 (6, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.2 (135, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA First Round loss over North Carolina State
2012 NCAA Second Round win over Notre Dame
2012 NCAA Third Round win over Lehigh
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Baylor
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Marquette
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Minnesota
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Pittsburg
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kansas State
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Portland State
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Wisconsin
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Pittsburgh
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Georgia
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over West Virginia
2008 NCAA Regional Final loss to UCLA
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over BYU
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Ohio State
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
