PORTLAND, Ore. ‒ It's not hyperbole to say that the next five days have the ability to drastically impact the entire season for Xavier's men's basketball team.
The Musketeers will play three games in four days at the Phil Knight Legacy event in Portland, beginning on Thursday with the Florida Gators (3-1), a rematch from last season when Xavier defeated the Gators in the postseason on the way to the National Invitation Tournament championship.
The result of Thursday's game is important not simply because every win is important, but because a win could give Xavier a chance to play one or two of the biggest brand names that college basketball has to offer.
Depending on Thursday's outcomes, Xavier will play either No. 8 Duke or Oregon State on Friday (3:30 p.m. or 6 p.m.).
Saturday's an off day, but on the other side of the bracket, Xavier will face either No. 6 Gonzaga, No. 24 Purdue, West Virginia, or Portland State on Sunday.
It's not out of the question that the Musketeers could have three Quad-1 games in Oregon.
Coming off a narrow home loss to No. 12 Indiana on Friday, Xavier should be eager to pounce on three neutral-site opportunities.
A trip like this is not only a way to snag a few quality wins, but it's also about correcting the issues that are currently standing in the way. Xavier will need to develop its bench in Portland. The Musketeers have to care more about rebounding than their opponents. And Xavier has to be committed to being a 40-minute defensive team.
More:What we learned in Xavier's loss to No. 12 Indiana
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The Game
- Tipoff: 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum
- TV/Radio: ESPN2 with play-by-play from Doug Sherman and analysis from Cory Alexander. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WLWT-AM (700).
- Series info: Xavier leads the all-time series 3-2.
Scouting report
Xavier Musketeers (3-1)
Coach: Sean Miller, 18th season (425-157 overall)
Offense: 84.8 ppg
Defense: 70.8 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
KyKy Tandy (G, 6'2", 6.3 ppg)
Zach Freemantle (F, 6'9", 15.5 ppg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 13.3 ppg)
Souley Boum (G, 6'3", 14.0 ppg)
Jack Nunge (F, 7'0", 17.0 ppg)
Florida Gators (3-1)
Coach: Todd Golden, fourth season (60-37 overall)
Offense: 79.8 ppg
Defense: 66.5 ppgProjected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Colin Castleton (F, 6'11", 25.3 ppg)
Will Richard (G, 6'4", 14.0 ppg)
Kyle Lofton (G, 6'3", 9.8 ppg)
Kowacie Reeves (G, 6'6", 8.5 ppg)
CJ Felder (F, 6'7", 5.3 rpg)
Players to watch
Colin Castleton
"They have a big guy on their team who's among the best in college basketball in Castleton," said Xavier head coach Sean Miller.
Florida will have seen what Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis did to the Musketeers. The Gators want to try something similar with Castleton, who they'll play through on nearly every offensive possession.
Jack Nunge
Xavier cannot let Florida's best player dominate the way Indiana's did. That means Nunge has to be solid when he's guarding Castleton. He has to get stops and get rebounds. At the other end, Nunge has to finish at the rim. If he can do those things, it will help Xavier start its tournament with a win.
Key to the game
Rebounding
Through four games, Xavier ranks No. 268 nationally in defensive rebounding (out of 353 Division I teams). If that doesn't improve, the Musketeers will be the worst defensive-rebounding team at Xavier in more than two decades.
Xavier plays two big men together and the Musketeers are experienced. It doesn't fall on just the bigs, though. Xavier's guards have to impact rebounding and contribute.
It's a problem right now. And if it stays a problem, it's going to be difficult to overcome.
Rankings
KenPom: Xavier (33), Florida (36)
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