NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates 
[ad_1]
Xavier dropped to 1-7 in Quadrant 1 contests following its 86-77 loss to Creighton Wednesday night at CHI Health Center Arena.
Heading into Omaha, Xavier was narrowly on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Musketeers were projected by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi as the “First Team Out” and were part of the “First Four Out” by Fox Sports’ Mike DeCourcy.
Xavier’s latest missed opportunity didn’t stop head coach Sean Miller from providing a positive outlook on his team as the calendar flips to February.
More: Xavier’s NCAA Tournament hopes take a hit after road loss to Creighton
“We could really take off over the next four or five weeks,” Miller said. “Whether we’re able to do it or not, that remains to be seen. We have the ability to play at a very high level. We’ve shown that.”
Xavier head coach Sean Miller after the Musketeers’ loss at Creighton: “We’ve gotta turn it into high gear now.”
Entering the final nine games of the regular season, it’s the moment of truth for Xavier. It will take Xavier handling its own business with an extended winning streak, some positive movement in the NCAA’s NET Rankings and even a little luck for the Musketeers to get to March Madness.
Report: Xavier Musketeers basketball to play in 2025 Charleston Classic
Here is Xavier’s path.
Xavier’s has been battle-tested in Big East play
Following an overtime loss to St. John’s in New York City Jan. 22, Miller joked that the Los Angeles Lakers might be next on Xavier’s schedule.
Xavier’s 20-game conference schedule has been unfathomably frontloaded. The Musketeers have already wrapped up their regular-season series against the three ranked teams in the Big East, going a combined 2-4 against No. 9 Marquette, No. 15 St. John’s and No. 25 UConn. Xavier has played KenPom’s No. 29 hardest schedule in the nation.
That’s good and bad news.
Xavier’s Dailyn Swain (3) has scored in double figures in eight of the last 10 games. The sophomore finished with 11 points, 6…
[ad_2]Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/could-really-off-xavier-ncaa-181130926.html
Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Publish date : 2025-01-30 18:11:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
