Scouting report, keys to victory for Xavier vs. Georgetown on the road

Part of Xavier’s strong finish in non-conference play was its ability to respond to adversity. In November, after back-to-back 19-point losses, Xavier returned home and delivered its “best performance” of the short season in a blowout of Old Dominion.

Following a gut-wrenching, last-second loss to Georgia in the Charleston Classic, Xavier returned to TD Arena two days later and began a five-game winning streak with an impressive 78-68 victory over West Virginia.

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That defined Xavier’s 8-3 non-conference record. How it responds to a historical 98-57 loss to Creighton at Cintas Center in the Big East opener Dec. 17 will define the rest of the season.

More: ‘It’s gonna get real now.’ Keys for Xavier success in Big East play

More: Takeaways from Xavier’s blowout loss to Creighton in Big East opener

Xavier opened conference action with a new outlook on the season. Forty minutes later, Xavier walked out of a near-empty home arena with a humbling 41-point loss.

“We’re gonna have to swallow our pride tomorrow and watch the film,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said. “There’s nothing we can do about it but learn from it and get back to work.”

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Thankfully, the Big East calendar permits one chance to get right before the Christmas break. It comes on the road Saturday, Dec. 20 when Xavier visits Georgetown.

Xavier head coach Richard Pitino after 98-57 loss to Creighton to open Big East play: “We were as bad as we’ve been all year.”

Tip: 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at Capital One Arena (20,356)

TV/Radio: FS1/700 WLW

Ratings: Xavier is No. 103 in KenPom and Georgetown is No. 93. Xavier dropped to No. 137 in the NCAA NET Rankings and Georgetown is No. 111.

History: Xavier leads the all-time series 22-7 with each team winning at home last season. Xavier is 7-3 at Capital One Arena.

Ed Cooley is in his third season as Georgetown’s head basketball coach after a 12-year run at Providence. He is 11-13 all-time against Xavier.

Record: 8-3 (1-0 Big East)

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Publish date : 2025-12-19 15:47:00

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