Non-conference play concludes Wednesday night (8:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1) for Xavier's men's basketball team, which returned to the Associated Press top-25 poll this week at No. 22 after Saturday's win over Cincinnati.
The Musketeers (9-1) host Morehead State (6-4) in search of a sixth consecutive win heading into Big East Conference play on Saturday at home against Marquette.
The Eagles may not have a record that causes much concern, but Morehead State has a productive lineup, one Xavier will have to respect in order to close the book on its non-conference season with a win.
'Have fun, live in the moment': Xavier did that against UC in the Crosstown Shootout
Morehead State has a formidable big man in Johni Broome, a 6-foot-10 back-to-the-basket forward who's averaging a double-double (15.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg). Xavier's going to pressure the ball and try to make it difficult to feed it inside to Broome.
Guards Tray Hollowell and Skyelar Potter are both double-digit scorers and they're two of Morehead State's best shooters with a combined 50 3-pointers in 10 games, and point guard Ta'lon Cooper averages 6.9 assists per game.
The vast majority of Morehead State's production comes from its starting lineup, so when the Musketeers get into their bench, Xavier has to take advantage.
If Xavier finds a way to play with the same toughness and execution that it did against UC and Ohio State then the Musketeers are going to win a lot of games this season, and Xavier's done a good job of not overlooking any opponents this season.
The Game
- Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Cintas Center
- TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from
Donny Marshall. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WLW-AM (700). - Series info: Xavier leads the all-time series 7-3.
Scouting Report
Xavier Musketeers (9-1)
Coach: Travis Steele, fourth season (60-38 overall)
Offense: 75.8 ppg
Defense: 60.1 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Paul Scruggs (G, 6'5", 11.7 ppg)
Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 5.2 rpg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 12.3 ppg)
Dieonte Miles (F, 6'11", 3.1 rpg)
Nate Johnson (G, 6'4", 13.4 ppg)
Morehead State Eagles (6-4)
Coach: Preston Spradlin, sixth season (75-81 overall)
Offense: 68.7 ppg
Defense: 65.6 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Johni Broome (F, 6'10", 15.2 ppg)
Tray Hollowell (G, 6'3", 10.8 ppg)
Jake Wolfe (F, 6'5", 6.5 ppg)
Ta'lon Cooper (G, 6'4", 9.3 ppg)
Skyelar Potter (G, 6'3", 11.6 ppg)
Players to watch
Johni Broome
Broome shoots 57% from the field and the offense runs through him, but Morehead State has three players scoring in double figures. Xavier needs to make life hard on Broome and be disciplined defensively so no other Eagles get going offensively.
Adam Kunkel
When Colby Jones got two early fouls against UC, Kunkel came in off the bench and provided a spark. Xavier's greatest strength is its ability to play through multiple players. Kunkel has looked good with the ball in his hands and he's a threat to knock down shots whenever he's on the floor. Kunkel's averaging 8.2 points and his two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio leads Xavier.
Key to the game
Sustained momentum
Xavier wants to enter conference play with momentum and the Musketeers currently have it. Another solid performance at both ends of the floor will mean Xavier's playing its best basketball going into the most important part of the season.
Rankings
KenPom.com: Xavier (24); Morehead State (148).
NET: Xavier (16); Morehead State (102).
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