When the Xavier regular season tips off Tuesday, Nov. 9 against Niagara, the Musketeers will take their first step toward their goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Along the way, Xavier will face its usual challenging Big East schedule, and will also have its hands full in the non-conference.
In addition to the Crosstown Shootout with Cincinnati, the Musketeers will take part in the Preseason NIT along with Iowa State, Memphis and Virginia Tech and will also face Ohio State and Oklahoma State all before conference play even begins.
With so many marquee teams on the schedule, Xavier will face some of the best individual college basketball players in the nation.
Here are the top opponents Xavier will face in 2021/22:
Posh Alexander, St. John’s
Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Cintas Center, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 2 at St. John's, 6:30 p.m.
The sophomore guard is one of four freshman to be named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, joining Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Allen Iverson.
Averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game last season.
Joe Bryant Jr., Norfolk State
Sunday, Nov. 21 at Cintas Center, noon
Senior guard averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season.
