Big East-Big 12 Battle: Xavier Musketeers get first true road test at Oklahoma State

Adam Baum, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read

The first true road test of the season awaits Xavier's men's basketball team on Sunday (5 p.m., ESPN2) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle, the Musketeers (6-1) will meet Oklahoma State (6-2) in a game that presents another great opportunity for a quality road result that carries with it some serious postseason implications.

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Through eight games, the Cowboys are one of the best defensive teams in the country, according to KenPom.com.

Xavier Musketeers guard Colby Jones (3) drives along the baseline in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Xavier led 41-25 at halftime.
Xavier Musketeers guard Colby Jones (3) drives along the baseline in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Xavier led 41-25 at halftime.

Oklahoma State's adjusted defensive efficiency ranking is No. 8 nationally among all Division I teams. The Cowboys defense is top-10 nationally in turnover percentage, block percentage and steal percentage.

"They're really athletic and they're long," Xavier head coach Travis Steele said Friday during his pre-game press conference. "They got tough guys. They're gonna deny. They're gonna pressure you. They're gonna try to speed you up into making rushed decisions.

"... A lot of their offense comes off their defense. I think they're seventh in the country in creating turnovers."

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Steele said, by far, the most important thing in this game is whether Xavier can take care of the ball. Look for Xavier to space Oklahoma State out offensively. That space will be extremely important for the Musketeers to drive the ball and post it.

Then, of course, with Oklahoma State's size and length, rebounding will be critical in this game.

The Game

  • Tipoff: 5 p.m. on Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena

  • TV/Radio: ESPN2 with play-by-play from Mark Neely and analysis from King McClure. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WKRC-AM (550).

  • Series info: This is the first meeting between the two schools.

Scouting Report

Xavier Musketeers (6-1)

Coach: Travis Steele, fourth season (57-38 overall)

Offense: 71.7 ppg

Defense: 59.6 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Paul Scruggs (G, 6'5", 11.0 ppg)

Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 6.7 rpg)

Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 12.0 ppg)

Dieonte Miles (F, 6'11", 2.8 rpg)

Nate Johnson (G, 6'4", 14.6 ppg)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-2)

Coach: Mike Boynton Jr., fifth season (78-60 overall)

Offense: 74.3 ppg

Defense: 61.1 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Avery Anderson III (G, 6'3", 9.3 ppg)

Bryce Thompson (G, 6'5", 8.5 ppg)

Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (F, 6'7", 6.3 rpg)

Moussa Cisse (F, 7'0", 6.9 ppg)

Isaac Likekele (G, 6'5", 7.1 ppg)

Players to watch

Oklahoma State's Avery Anderson III (0) goes up for a lay up in the second half during the college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Wichita State Shockers at Gallagher-Iba Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
Oklahoma State's Avery Anderson III (0) goes up for a lay up in the second half during the college basketball game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Wichita State Shockers at Gallagher-Iba Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.

Avery Anderson III

Oklahoma State doesn't have any players averaging double figures scoring. The Cowboys play a lot of different guys and they get contributions from across the roster. But Anderson leads Oklahoma State in scoring and steals and he's on the floor quite a bit.

Xavier Musketeers guard Dwon Odom (11) rises to shoot in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Xavier Musketeers guard Dwon Odom (11) rises to shoot in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

Dwon Odom, Paul Scruggs

Odom and Scruggs are Xavier's primary ball handlers. They have to handle pressure and get Xavier into its half-court offense or else it's going to be a long night in Stillwater. The Musketeers also want to drive the ball and Odom and Scruggs are both really good at that.

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Key to the game

Turnovers

Oklahoma State's elite at forcing turnovers and turning them into offense. Xavier's struggled with taking care of the basketball, so this game could easily boil down to whether or not the Musketeers control their possessions and work to get good shots.

Rankings

KenPom.com: Xavier (35); Oklahoma State (45).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Big East-Big 12 Battle: Xavier Musketeers visit Oklahoma State Cowboys