By Marisol Nicholson

02.05.24

Olivari leads the BIG EAST in scoring, 3-point field goals and 3-point field goal percentage.

CINCINNATI — Xavier University graduate student Quincy Olivari has been named Naismith Trophy Player of the Week and BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week after averaging 33.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game in wins over St. John’s on Jan. 31 and at DePaul on Feb. 3. Olivari now leads the BIG EAST in scoring (19.1 ppg.), 3-point field goals (3.1 per game) and 3-point field goal percentage (.454).

Olivari scored a collegiate career-high 43 points in the win at DePaul and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds in addition to three assists and three steals. His seven 3-pointers set his Xavier career high and tied his collegiate high.

Olivari tied for team-high scoring honors in the St. John’s win with 23 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists and four steals. With the score tied 75-all with under three minutes left, XU went on a 13-2 run to end the game and Olivari scored eight of those points, including two 3-pointers.

There was plenty of Xavier and BIG EAST history set in Olivari’s 43-point game. The 43 points are the most by a BIG EAST player in any game this season. In fact, Olivari’s 34-point game vs. Delaware is tied for the second-highest total by a BIG EAST player in a game this season. The 43 points are the most by a BIG EAST player in a BIG EAST game since DePaul’s Max Strus (Cleveland Cavaliers) had 43 against St. John’s on March 3, 2019.

Olivari’s 43-point game, the 11^th 40-point game in Xavier history, was the first 40-point game by an XU player since Trevon Bluiett scored 40 at Cincinnati on Jan. 26, 2017. Olivari’s 43-point game and Bluiett’s 40-point game are the only ones in Xavier history that occurred in a true road game. The 43 points are the most points scored by an XU player since David West scored 47 in a win over Dayton at Cintas Center in his senior National Player of the Year season (2-8-03).

Olivari was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll three times earlier this season, including Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Dec. 27.

40+ point games on record at Xavier University:
50             Steve Thomas vs. Detroit (1-6-64) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse
47             David West vs. Dayton (2-8-03) at Xavier’s Cintas Center
45             Byron Larkin vs. Loyola of Chicago (2-28-86) in MCC Tournament at Market Square Arena (Indianapolis)
45             Steve Thomas vs. Cincinnati (3-4-64) at Cincinnati Gardens
45             Gene Smith vs. Georgetown, Ky. (1-12-52) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse
43             Quincy Olivari vs. DePaul (2-3-24) at Wintrust Center in Chicago, Ill.
42             Steve Thomas vs. Villa Madonna (12-16-63) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse
42             Steve Thomas vs. Canisius (1-28-64) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse
41             Steve Thomas vs. St. Francis (Pa.) (2-18-64) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse
40             Trevon Bluiett vs. Cincinnati (1-26-17) at 5/3 Arena in Cincinnati
40             Bob Quick vs. Marquette (2-26-68) at Xavier’s Schmidt Fieldhouse

COURTESY XAVIER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS