Another four-game stretch is in the books, and with it, Travis Steele has his best start since becoming Xavier's head coach.
The No. 22 Musketeers are 11-1 and have won seven games in a row.
It's a promising start but the real work is about to begin. There are still areas to improve which should keep Xavier's head from getting too big after a nice start that's starting to garner some national attention.
It's time for another four-game breakdown, a look back at games 9-12.
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Games 9-12
Record: 4-0 (11-1 overall)
The most recent section of Xavier's schedule was important for a few reasons. The most obvious was that Xavier didn't lose. But beyond that, the Musketeers did it in multiple ways. In three of the four wins, Xavier built a lead and kept that comfortable cushion in wins over Ball State, Cincinnati and Morehead State.
Against Marquette on Saturday, Xavier didn't play outstanding but showed the ability to win a close game by making winning plays when it mattered late.
Most valuable player
Jack Nunge
Nunge's been a lethal weapon coming off the bench for Xavier. He's averaging 13.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and his 20 blocked shots lead the team.
Over the last four games, Nunge averaged 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds a game, and he's doing it at both ends of the floor.
He's been tremendous at getting to the foul line and he defends without fouling.
Nunge's making a strong case for the national sixth man of the year award and a spot on the Big East all-conference team.
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Most improved
Dwon Odom
The sophomore point guard had his best game in a Xavier uniform on Saturday with a career-high 19 points. His defense was elite and Marquette couldn't stop his offensive attack.
It was a clinical performance that changed the game in Xavier's favor. If Odom plays that way consistently it takes a lot of pressure off the 3-point line and it also opens up the perimeter for Xavier's shooters because defenses have to react so strongly when Odom gets into the paint, and when the help defense converges on him, it means someone else is open and Odom's proven capable of finding them.
Best play
This could go to a number of plays late in the Marquette game. Colby Jones getting into the lane, finding Nate Johnson on the baseline and Johnson tossing it right back to Jones to end a 7-0 run from the Golden Eagles and gave Xavier a 72-69 lead.
It could also go to Johnson for his no-look pass to Nunge for a dunk on the next possession, or Nunge's block at the other end immediately following that dunk.
But the next offensive possession epitomized how Xavier managed to beat Marquette. Odom, who dominated Marquette for the 21 minutes he was on the floor, did what he had done all night, driving into Marquette's defense, and when the Golden Eagles collapsed on him, he spun and heaved a pass over the top to the corner for Johnson's fourth 3-pointer of the game.
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On a night when Xavier didn't shoot it well from the perimeter, that was the play that put Marquette away.
It was reminiscent of how Xavier beat Virginia Tech earlier this season. Odom attacked the interior of the defense and when they flew to help on him, he found Johnson for the game-winner.
Depth in droves
Through 12 games, Xavier's had seven different leading scorers. Paul Scruggs, Johnson, Nunge, Zach Freemantle, Adam Kunkel, Jerome Hunter and Odom have all carried the torch offensively at different times this season.
Colby Jones is noticeably absent from that list, but even though he hasn't led Xavier in scoring, he's probably been the most consistent player at both ends of the floor.
There was a stretch in the second half against Marquette when Scruggs and Johnson each had three fouls and were sequestered to the bench. Even without its two fifth-year seniors, there was no fall-off from Xavier, Odom and Nunge made sure of that.
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The cleanup
Xavier didn't have a great night defensively against Marquette, but hopping from its pack-line man defense into zone helped.
Now that the Musketeers are into Big East play, the defense has to be there game-to-game. The conference is too deep and too talented to have off nights at that end of the floor.
Xavier also had a brutal night against Marquette at the free-throw line (21-of-35). A better showing at the line and that game's never really close in the second half.
Xavier made immense strides in the turnover department against Marquette, a high-pressure defensive team, with only eight turnovers, nearly seven below its season average.
Rebounding has been a major advantage for Xavier. The Musketeers have only lost the rebounding battle in one game this season against Central Michigan. Xavier's out-rebounding its opponents by an average of 9.5 boards per game.
Where they stand
Xavier was at No. 12 in Sunday's NET rankings, the NCAA's primary evaluation tool for determining the NCAA Tournament field. The Musketeers are the top Big East team in the NET at the moment.
Villanova's at No. 16 in the NET, so Tuesday's game will be the fifth Quad-1 opportunity of the season for Xavier. The Musketeers are currently 3-1 in Quad-1 games.
Up next
Three of Xavier's next four games are on the road, starting on Tuesday at Villanova and the Wildcats have lost two in a row including a 20-point drubbing at Creighton on Friday.
In order to hand the Wildcats a third straight loss, Xavier's going to need an efficient performance at both ends of the floor.
From there, Xavier's at home against UConn on Dec. 28, then back on the road at Georgetown and at Butler to start the new year.
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