Musketeers are off to their best start ever BIG EAST play.
GAME NOTES
https://goxavier.com/documents/2023/1/5/2022-23_NOTES_GAME_16__at_Villanova.pdf
CINCINNATI — The Xavier University Musketeers, 12-3 overall and 4-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, take an eight-game win streak to Villanova University on Saturday to take on the Wildcats. XU, coming off an 83-73 over then-No. 2 and previously unbeaten UConn, is 18th in this week’s AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Musketeers are shooting to snap a five-game losing streak against Villanova..
THE MATCHUP
NO. 18/18 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (12-3, 4-0 BIG EAST)
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY WILDCATS (8-7, 2-2 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, JAN. 7, 2023 AT 4:30 P.M. ET
AT FINNERAN PAVILION IN VILLANOVA, PA.
TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS
Television: FS1 with play by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Sarah Kustok.
Radio: 700 WLW with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman (’79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin (’88). XU broadcast also available on Sirius XM channel 386 and 976 on the SXM App.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.
X FACTORS
Xavier, 12-3 overall, won its eighth-straight game on Saturday, 83-73 over then-No. 2 and previously unbeaten UConn. XU recorded a 7-0 record in the month of December.
• Xavier is 18th in this week’s AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll. XU is No. 26 in the NCAA’s NET ranking and No. 24 in the KenPom rankings.
• Xavier, in its 10th BIG EAST season, is off to its best start ever in BIG EAST play at 4-0.
• Xavier is 3-0 in true road games this season, including 2-0 in BIG EAST play.
• Xavier leads the nation in assists per game at 21.0 apg. In addition, XU leads the BIG EAST and is fourth in the nation in overall field goal percentage (.508) and is first in the BIG EAST and ninth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.404). XU leads the BIG EAST in scoring at 83.8 ppg., which ranks 13th in the nation.
• Xavier graduate student Souley Boum, who has scored in double figures in each of the last 13 games, leads XU in scoring (second in the BIG EAST at 16.9 ppg.). He is second on the team in assists (tied for ninth in the BIG EAST at 4.6 apg.).
• Xavier junior Colby Jones leads XU in assists at 5.6 apg. (third in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the nation) to go with 14.3 ppg.
• Xavier graduate student Jack Nunge, who was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, is second on the team in scoring at 15.2 ppg. (12th in the BIG EAST) and is second on the team in rebounding at 7.5 rpg. (sixth in the BIG EAST), including his double-double with 23 points (10-14 shooting) and 12 rebounds at St. John’s on Dec. 28.
• Xavier senior Zach Freemantle leads the team in rebounding at 7.8 rpg. (fourth in the BIG EAST) following his double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds vs. UConn.
• Xavier’s balanced scoring attack boasts four players in the top 20 in the BIG EAST:
Souley Boum (second at 16.9 ppg.), Jack Nunge (12th at 15.2 ppg.), Zach Freemantle (17th at 14.4 ppg.) and Colby Jones (18th at 14.3 ppg.).
COURTESY XAVIER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
