Field Level Media
08 Mar 2025, 08:13 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Xavier will strive to close the Big East regular season with a conference-best seventh straight victory on Saturday when it welcomes Providence to Cincinnati.
The Musketeers (20-10, 12-7) are coming off a 91-78 triumph Wednesday at Butler, marking their second Quad 2 win in a week's time. The current winning run, longest active in the Big East, began with a 91-82 decision on Feb. 12 at Providence.
'What we've done a good job of is learning from each game, leaving it, being prepared, working together, being focused on the next game and the things we can control,' Xavier coach Sean Miller said. 'That continues for us.'
Graduate Zach Freemantle enjoyed another team-leading effort against Butler, scoring 24 points and adding eight rebounds. He is the fifth-leading scorer (17.1 points per game) and rebounder (7.1) in the conference.
The win helped keep Xavier alive for a NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
'We're in the mix,' Miller said. 'What we do have in front of us is Providence at home. It's up to us to make that seven (straight wins) and keep moving on.'
When the Musketeers and Friars last met, Freemantle again nearly had a double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds. Dante Maddox scored 26 points in that game.
The Friars (12-18, 6-13) are on their third losing streak of at least four games following Wednesday's 80-77 setback to DePaul, which had lost six straight and nine of 10.
Providence let an early 16-point lead slip and gave up 11-0, 8-0 and 6-0 second-half runs in the loss, wasting career-high scoring nights from Corey Floyd Jr. (25 points, eight rebounds) and freshman Ryan Mela (18 points, six rebounds, four steals).
Coach Kim English's team let plenty of opportunities slip away, losing despite shooting 50 percent from the field and Bensley Joseph getting fouled on a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
'It's different every game,' English said. 'It's different. Some games it's rebounding. Some games it's transition defense. Some games it's shot quality.'
While fifth-place Xavier will receive a Big East Tournament bye, Providence is set to play in Wednesday's first round in New York.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More InformationPatna (Bihar) [India], March 8 (ANI): Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) landmark Trophy Tour continued its journey to celebrate their third...
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers made far and away the biggest splash of the NHL trade deadline. Though...
(Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Xavier will strive to close the Big East regular...
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images) New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson is dealing with a sprained right ankle and will be sidelined...
(Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images) SMU needs every victory it can get to bolster its NCAA Tournament chances and can't afford...
(Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Cincinnati ends its regular season on the road Saturday...
MILAN, Italy: Prada CEO Andrea Guerra suggested this week that the Italian luxury brand is keeping its options open regarding potential...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Homelessness in Ireland has reached an all-time high, with 15,286 people in emergency accommodation in January 2025,...
TOKYO, Japan: The number of babies born in Japan fell to a record low of 720,988 in 2024 for a ninth consecutive year, the health ministry...
AUSTIN, Texas: Tesla has taken a key step toward launching its long-promised robotaxi service by applying for a transportation permit...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. military has 30 days to decide how it will find and remove transgender service members. This may involve...
DES MOINES, Iowa: Iowa lawmakers have passed a new law that removes protections for gender identity from the state's civil rights code....