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Scouting report: No. 19 Xavier heads to No. 20 Providence

adam baum, cincinnati enquirer
·3 min read
They last met on the first day of February and it was Xavier protecting its home court with an 85-83 overtime win over Providence. The rematch is on March 1 in Rhode Island.
They last met on the first day of February and it was Xavier protecting its home court with an 85-83 overtime win over Providence. The rematch is on March 1 in Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – March belongs to college basketball. It begins for Xavier on Wednesday with a much-anticipated trip to Providence for a top-25 showdown against two of the Big East Conference's best teams.

The first meeting was exactly a month ago. It featured 18 lead changes and led to one of the more exciting games of the season – an 85-83 Xavier win in overtime, the Musketeers' first game without the injured Zach Freemantle, who's unlikely to return in Wednesday's rematch.

The Musketeers and the Friars enter with identical records (21-8, 13-5 Big East) and it's a game that will factor into seeding at next week's Big East Tournament.

For Xavier, this game will be determined by how well the Musketeers can defend Providence without fouling, control the glass, and take care of the basketball. The Friars get to the foul line often and are one of the best offensive-rebounding teams in the country.

Providence is undefeated at home this season. In order to win in one of the toughest road environments the Big East offers, Xavier will have to execute its offense at a high level. That means taking care of the basketball and getting the team that leads the country in assists per game (20.2) to show up on Wednesday.

More:How Xavier turned its offense around to become one of the best 3-point shooting teams

The Game

  • Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Amica Mutual Pavilion

  • TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play from John Fanta and analysis from Donny Marshall. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on KRC-AM (550). Westwood One Sports will broadcast the game with play-by-play from Dan Hoard and analysis from Andy Katz.

  • Series info: Xavier leads the series 12-11.

Scouting report

Xavier Musketeers (21-8, 13-5 Big East)

Coach: Sean Miller, 18th season (443-164 overall)

Offense: 81.9 ppg

Defense: 74.3 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Adam Kunkel (G, 6'4", 10.3 ppg)

Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 7.2 ppg)

Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 14.7 ppg)

Souley Boum (G, 6'3", 16.5 ppg)

Jack Nunge (F, 7'0", 14.3 ppg)

Providence Friars (21-8, 13-5 Big East)

Coach: Ed Cooley, 17th season (334-218 overall)

Offense: 78.8 ppg

Defense: 70.1 ppgProjected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Bryce Hopkins (F, 6'7", 16.4 ppg)

Devin Carter (G, 6'3", 13.2 ppg)

Ed Croswell (F, 6'8", 13.3 ppg)

Noah Locke (G, 6'3", 11.2 ppg)

Jared Bynum (G, 5'10", 9.8 ppg)

Players to watch

Bryce Hopkins

Xavier did a great job against Hopkins in the first meeting, holding him to 3-of-14 from the field for 10 points, but he remains Providence's best weapon offensively.

Jerome Hunter

Hunter was an absolute menace against Providence the last time. He had seven offensive rebounds and his defense on Hopkins was elite.

Keys to the game

Rebounding, fouls

Everything's essential in big games but keeping Providence off the glass and defending without fouling are two ways Xavier can win on the road.

Rankings

KenPom: Xavier (18), Providence (27)

NET: Xavier (25), Providence (37)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Scouting report: No. 19 Xavier heads to No. 20 Providence