Preview: Xavier Musketeers open Big East Conference play against No. 11 UConn Wednesday

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When the Big East schedule was released, it was easy to point out the brutal one-week, mid-December stretch for Xavier that included the Crosstown Shootout followed by games against UConn and Marquette.

Coming out of that three-game span successfully took a hit when Xavier gave up a second-half lead and lost to UC Saturday.

Xavier was dealt another blow on Monday when it was announced that leading scorer and rebounder Zach Freemantle is out indefinitely with a lower body injury suffered against the Bearcats.

Xavier lost starting center Lassina Traore to a torn ACL less than a month before the season opener. They’ve now lost Freemantle and guard Trey Green over the last six days. There’s no timetable for when, or if, Freemantle or Green will play again this season.

Life comes at you fast in college basketball. Since starting 6-0, Xavier has dropped three of its last five, with all three losses to high-major programs. Now shorthanded, the Musketeers will tip off Big East Conference play against the two-time defending national-champion UConn Huskies Wednesday in Hartford.

More: ‘We didn’t get it done.’ Xavier’s Sean Miller, Ryan Conwell on Crosstown Shootout loss

Xavier returns to the scene of the crime

Nearly 11 months ago, Xavier arrived in Hartford having won three of four to climb over .500 (10-9). The Musketeers were then mauled by UConn, 99-56, at XL Center in the program’s largest loss this century. It was UConn’s largest margin of victory in a Big East contest in 16 years.

Can the Musketeers put up a better fight? Xavier has not beaten a ranked team on the road since March 1, 2023 (Providence). UConn has lost its conference opener in three of four years since joining the Big East.

Xavier forward Zach Freemantle (32) is out indefinitely with a lower body injury.

Xavier vs. No. 11 UConn

Tip: Wednesday, 7 p.m. XL Center (16,294)

TV/Radio: FS1/700 WLW

Ratings: Xavier is No. 60 in KenPom while UConn is No. 12. Xavier is No. 75 in the NCAA NET Rankings and UConn is No. 11.

History:…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/preview-xavier-musketeers-open-big-172738419.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-12-17 17:27:00

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