Xavier gets tough early-season test against Mississippi State

If you’re a Xavier men’s basketball fan, the last month has been bliss as the Musketeers returned to the court with a revamped roster under second-year head coach Richard Pitino.

In October, Xavier won all three of its exhibition games in different ways. In November, Xavier has done what a team with NCAA Tournament aspirations should do against its buy-game opponents, winning by an average of 37.7 points after Tuesday’s 100-55 blowout of Detroit Mercy.

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But now, the rubber is about to meet the road. Four of Xavier’s next five games are against another high-major program, beginning with an SEC test against Mississippi State in the Greenbrier Tip-Off in the cozy confines of Colonial Hall in West Virginia.

“We’re gonna really learn a lot about ourselves,” Pitino said.

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Photos: Detroit Mercy Titans at Xavier Musketeers, 11/10

Xavier Musketeers forward Jovan Milicevic (24) hits a 3-point basket over Detroit Mercy Titans center Xavier Istomin-Monroe (6) in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between Detroit Mercy Titans and Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)

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Photos: Detroit Mercy Titans at Xavier Musketeers, 11/10

Xavier Musketeers forward Jovan Milicevic (24) hits a 3-point basket over Detroit Mercy Titans center Xavier Istomin-Monroe (6) in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between Detroit Mercy Titans and Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)

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Photos: Detroit Mercy Titans at Xavier Musketeers, 11/10

Detroit Mercy Titans guard Tyler Spratt (1) hits a 3-point basket over Xavier Musketeers guard Filip Borovicanin (4) in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between Detroit Mercy Titans…

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Publish date : 2026-11-12 00:27:00

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