Keys to a Xavier Musketeers win over Mount St. Mary’s in season opener

The last time Xavier played a meaningful game inside Cintas Center, the Musketeers lost leading scorer Tre Carroll to a hip injury just four minutes into Senior Night on March 3. Xavier went on to lose to Seton Hall as the Musketeers limped their way to the end of its second losing season in three years.

But hope springs eternal with the start of a new season. In the NIL and transfer portal world, roster overhauls can be swift. Xavier, like many other teams across the country, reloaded in a hurry and now have NCAA Tournament aspirations just seven-plus months removed from having the program’s fewest wins (15) in a full season in 30 years.

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After a busy offseason and a 3-0 record in October exhibitions, Xavier opens the second year of the Richard Pitino era with high expectations on Monday, Nov. 2 when Mount St. Mary’s visits Cintas Center.

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Xavier defeats Dayton Flyers at Lindner Family Tennis Center

Dayton Flyers guard Aiden Derrick (4) collides with Xavier Musketeers forward Mike Nwoke (1) over a rebound in the first half of the CareSource Invitational exhibition game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Dayton Flyers at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)

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Xavier defeats Dayton Flyers at Lindner Family Tennis Center

Dayton Flyers guard Aiden Derrick (4) collides with Xavier Musketeers forward Mike Nwoke (1) over a rebound in the first half of the CareSource Invitational exhibition game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Dayton Flyers at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)

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Xavier defeats Dayton Flyers at Lindner Family Tennis Center

Dayton Flyers guard Zaide Lowery (7) rises for a shot against Xavier Musketeers guard…

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Publish date : 2026-11-02 05:05:00

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