Scouting report: Riding win streak, No. 12 Xavier welcomes Creighton
Despite a rough early stretch, Creighton's 9-7 record shouldn't fool anyone. The Bluejays were picked to win the Big East Conference this season by the preseason coaches poll for a reason.
Xavier's men's basketball team will have a Quad-1 opportunity on Wednesday night at Cintas Center when the Bluejays visit.
It's another chance for the Musketeers to sustain their current momentum.
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With nine wins in a row under its belt, Xavier has to dictate the pace and style of play on Wednesday, which is an area where the Musketeers have excelled.
Similar to Xavier, all five of Creighton's starters average in double figures. The Bluejays can get hot offensively and they can be stingy defensively. Creighton also has one of the best interior players in the country in 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who's surrounded by scorers and playmakers.
This will be a test for Xavier's defense, but if the Musketeers can get rolling offensively, it should take some pressure off the other end of the floor.
Xavier's ranked No. 12 in this week's Associated Press poll and the Musketeers are one of two unbeaten teams left in conference play with Providence at 6-0.
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Xavier should be operating under the assumption that for the remainder of this season, the Musketeers are going to get everyone's best shot.
A very motivated Creighton team will be on Xavier's court on Wednesday night. The Musketeers have to rise to that challenge and play like a team that's intent on hanging another Big East banner this season.
Xavier basketball vs. Creighton: What to know
Tipoff: 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Cintas Center
TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play from Jason Benetti and analysis from Bill Raftery. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WLW-AM (700).
Series info: Xavier leads the series 20-16.
Scouting report
Xavier Musketeers (13-3, 5-0)
Coach: Sean Miller, 18th season (435-159 overall)
Offense: 84.1 ppg
Defense: 74.3 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Adam Kunkel (G, 6'4", 10.2 ppg)
Zach Freemantle (F, 6'9", 15.3 ppg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 14.1 ppg)
Souley Boum (G, 6'3", 17.2 ppg)
Jack Nunge (F, 7'0", 14.7 ppg)
Creighton Bluejays (9-7, 3-2)
Coach: Greg McDermott, 29th season (565-339 overall)
Offense: 76.1 ppg
Defense: 67.6 ppgProjected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Ryan Kalkbrenner (C, 7'1", 14.8 ppg)
Ryan Nembhard (G, 6'0", 11.5 ppg)
Trey Alexander (G, 6'4", 12.6 ppg)
Baylor Scheierman (G, 6'7", 12.3 ppg)
Arthur Kaluma (F, 6'7", 12.8 ppg)
Players to watch
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Kalkbrenner's one of the best rim protectors in the country. He averages more than two blocked shots a game. He's also skilled offensively around the rim. Xavier will have to do a good job guarding him and blocking him out if the Musketeers want to win the rebound battle.
Colby Jones
Jones might be the most essential player Xavier has. He sets the tone defensively, has shown a drastic improvement in his offensive game and passes the ball at a high level. Jones ranks second in the Big East in assists per game (5.7) and Xavier will need that ball movement and unselfishness on Wednesday.
Keys to the game
Turnovers, rebounding and defense
At this point, Xavier's offense is a powerful machine. If somehow the Musketeers can eliminate a handful of their turnovers, it will make their offense even better.
Xavier needs to care more about rebounding than Creighton, and the Musketeers have to keep improving defensively. Creighton's a top-30 offense and a top-25 defense, according to KenPom, so this will be a test at both ends of the floor.
Rankings
KenPom: Xavier (18), Creighton (17)
NET: Xavier (18), Creighton (24)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Riding win streak, No. 12 Xavier basketball welcomes Creighton
