Preview: Can Xavier Musketeers get signature Big East win over No. 9 Marquette?

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There are no moral victories in college basketball. Xavier head coach Sean Miller said just that Wednesday night at XL Center after his Musketeers nearly shocked the Big East but came up short in overtime to No. 11 UConn.

However, if you ask any Xavier fan how they were feeling before and after that overtime affair in Hartford, “pleasantly surprised” might be a common answer.

Xavier fell to rival UC on Saturday, lost its best player Zach Freemantle Monday and was still able to go toe-to-toe with the defending national champs in a building where they lost by 43 points last season.

More: Sean Miller on ‘devastating’ Zach Freemantle injury: ‘I didn’t know what to say to him.’

That’s something. But it’s not a win. When the dust settled, it was another close-but-no-cigar effort as Xavier missed out on another opportunity for a signature win.

Since the start of last season, Xavier is 0-11 against ranked opponents with seven losses by seven points or less. The Musketeers have laid their share of eggs, but they’ve been a competitive group on a consistent basis that struggles to finish out games.

Xavier head coach Sean Miller is 2-0 in Big East home openers. The Musketeers begin their 10-game home Big East schedule against No. 9 Marquette in Cintas Center at noon Saturday.

Schedule makers gave Xavier a gift with another quick turnaround and another formidable foe on deck. Xavier opens its 10-game home Big East schedule Saturday against No. 9 Marquette at Cintas Center.

Xavier has won five consecutive conference home openers and will need to knock off a high-flying Golden Eagles squad to keep that streak alive.

Xavier vs. No. 9 Marquette

Tip: Saturday, noon, Cintas Center (10,212)

TV/Radio: FOX/ 700 WLW

Ratings: Xavier is No. 59 in KenPom while Marquette is No. 8. In the NCAA NET Rankings, Marquette is No. 10 and Xavier is No. 68.

History: Marquette leads the all-time series, 59-27. Since joining the Big East in 2013, Xavier is 12-13 in the rivalry and has dropped four straight. Marquette…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/preview-xavier-musketeers-signature-big-164405049.html

Author : The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-12-20 16:44:00

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