Musketeer Madness

6:30 PM Wednesday March 1 in #20 Providence

TV: FS1
Radio: WKRC


The biggest game of the season. X has a chance to lock up #2 in the BE tournament and play at 7 on the second day.

Providence has given X headaches on their home floor. Was it last year X was up, and then "The LEAK" changed the game that went into 3 OTs for a 99-92 PC win? X won the first game at Cintas this year, but it took OT. This was the first game without Zack. Providence had 5 guys in double figures, while X had 3 guys scoring 20 or more points in Jack, Souley, and Colby.

Providence plays a tune-up game Sunday at Georgetown, I hope it goes into 5 OTs. The game is at 12:30 p.m. and can be seen on FOX. In PC last ten games they are 6-4, averaging 77.2 points, 33.9 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 5.2 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points.

Teamranking.com gives Xavier a 49.4% chance to beat PC.

Gonna be a tough one. Providence is unbeaten at home. X probably needs to score 80 or more. X has won just one game when they score under 75 points, first SH game. They have lost just two when scoring over 75, Indiana and Gonzaga. Need efficient offense with low number of TOs and get out early to keep the crowd quiet. Based on the last several matchups with Providence, this will be another war.

Go X!!!... Dan

This is a very winnable game. Providence is good but if Xavier wants to prove they are a top tier team, they need to get the Win.

pdxmuskie wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:48 pm

This is a very winnable game. Providence is good but if Xavier wants to prove they are a top tier team, they need to get the Win.

I agree.

As stated above: if X 's score is 75 and under, they have a greater chance to lose and if 65 and under (would probably lose period). When X scores 80s and above they have the best chance to win.....whether regular season, BE tournament, or MM.

After hearing the weather report for Providence, I must revise my thinking about the game. Providence is expected to have 4-6 inches of snow and then the temp will be going up so we have to think Puddlegate circa 2023 could happen again and we know what hapen last time.

SM is an elite coach, but his Achilles Heel in strategy is rearing its ugly head again. As they were getting into foul trouble, he refused to go zone, and they are eating Edwards alive, and the guys have to be careful to stay out of foul trouble. I suspect if it was 4th on 10 on the Bengals' 15 and Mahomes at QB, he would put in extra lineman and put 8 in the box.

Also, the zone has been very effective in slowing X down. What a concept!

If X loses, it is squarely on Miller's shoulders. Brings Hunter and Nunge in with two fouls each, and two minutes to go. Channeling John Brannen tonight.