Xavier had a two-point lead in the final seconds of regulation before a late 3-pointer by Georgia’s Marcus Millender sank the Musketeers, 78-77.
Advertisement
Xavier’s non-conference portion of the season will be full of firsts. Xavier has the beauty of a quick turnaround with just one day of rest between games for the first (and only) time of the regular season as they conclude the Charleston Classic on Nov. 23 against West Virginia in the consolation bracket.
Further: “Really, really proud.” Conclusions from Xavier’s loss to Georgia
“I haven’t seen much West Virginia,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said. “I know they’re physical, tough and always good defensively. We’re in for a challenge.”
Advice: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at TD Arena (5,100)
Advertisement
Television/Radio: ESPN/WKRC-AM (550)
Ratings: Xavier is ranked 97th in KenPom and West Virginia is ranked 62nd.
History: Xavier holds a 2-1 series lead against West Virginia, winning the previous meeting over Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers at Cintas Center in the Big East-Big 12 battle in 2022. Xavier beat West Virginia in overtime in the Sweet 16 in 2008. West Virginia’s only career victory over Xavier came in December 1979.
Ross Hodge is in his first season as head coach at West Virginia after spending the last two years at North Texas.
Scouting Report of the West Virginia Mountaineers
Record: 5-1
head coach: Ross Hodge (5-1 at West Virginia, first season)
Offense: 71.8 points per game
Defense: 57.3 points per game
Overview: It’s another battle of first-year head coaches, as West Virginia is led by Ross Hodge, who spent the last two seasons at North Texas. Hodge is West Virginia’s third head coach in as many seasons.
Advertisement
West Virginia came to Charleston undefeated and untested after five home games to start the year. The Mountaineers posted double-digit wins over Mount St. Mary’s (70-54), Lehigh (69-47), Pittsburgh (71-49) and Lafayette (81-59) with only one tie against Campbell (73-65).
The Mountaineers had an 11-point lead with just over 10 minutes left against Clemson in the first round of the Charleston Classic, but the Tigers hit some crucial 3-pointers down the stretch to win it, 70-67. West Virginia shot just 40.4% from the field overall and was 12 of 19 from the free throw line.
projected alignment
(Pos., Height, Statistics)
Jasper Floyd (L, 6’3″, 10.5 ppg)
Advertisement
Honor Huff (L, 5’10”, 17.2 ppg)
Treysen Eaglestaff (F, 6’6″, 5 ppg)
Brenen Lorient (F, 6’9″, 11.3 ppg)
Harlan Obioha (C, 7’0″, 8.5 ppg)
Xavier Mosqueteros scouting report
Record: 3-3
Head coach: Richard Pitino (3-3 at Xavier, first season)
Offense: 74.3 points per game
Defense: 74.3 points per game
projected alignment
(Pos., Height, Statistics)
All Wright (L, 6’3″, 10.7 ppg)
Malik Messina-Moore (L, 6’5″, 8.2 ppg)
Tre Carroll (F, 6’8″, 15.7 ppg)
Filip Borovicanin (F, 6’9″, 8 points per game)
Jovan Milicevic (F, 6’10”, 12.5 ppg)
Players to watch
Roddie Anderson III
Xavier’s depth is thin as Anderson was the only non-starter to play more than eight minutes in Friday’s loss to Georgia.
Advertisement
In over 19 minutes off the bench, Anderson finished just 2 of 10 from the field and 0 of 3 from three-point range with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. He had a plus/minus of -15.
Filip Borovicanin
While he doesn’t play center, Borovicanin is rebounding as a quality big man lately and filling up the scoring.
In the season opener against Marist, Borovicanin played 12 scoreless minutes and finished 0 of 5 from the field. In five games since then, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per night.
opportunity moore
Moore has scored in double figures in each of the last three seasons, including twice at Missouri State and last year at St. Bonaventure. The NCAA approved a waiver that allowed Moore a fifth year of eligibility and he had to miss West Virginia’s first five games.
Advertisement
Moore made his Mountaineer debut against Clemson and had 16 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He also hit a deep buzzer-beater in the first half to give West Virginia a 32-25 halftime lead.
Keys to a Xavier victory over West Virginia
Can Xavier improve its defensive performance against Georgia?
A Xavier defense that was giving up points in droves took a stance against Georgia, which has one of the most potent offenses early this season.
Xavier’s Malik Messina-Moore defends in the second half of the Charleston Classic against Georgia. Xavier’s defense held Georgia to 25 points in the second half of their 78-77 loss at TD Arena.
Using a 2-3 zone, Xavier held Georgia to just 25 points in the second half as the Bulldogs were content to try to pull away from beyond the arc. Georgia shot just 32.3% from the field in the second half.
Advertisement
“It was something we worked on the last few days,” Pitino said. “He certainly saved us and almost stole the victory from us.”
Can Xavier repeat that performance? West Virginia has had success from deep, connecting at a 35.5% clip, however, it has mostly been a one-man show.
Leading scorer Honor Huff is the toughest matchup for Xavier. Last season in Chattanooga, he led the nation in three-pointers made (131) and finished the year shooting 41.6% from downtown. He is 22 for 49 so far this season.
Will Xavier have enough reserves against West Virginia?
Xavier will have just one day of rest between games in Charleston. After a physical and emotional battle with Georgia, Xavier will need to match the physicality of a West Virginia lineup that is one of the most experienced in the country.
Advertisement
Offensively, Xavier shot just 38.6% against Georgia, but had just nine turnovers in an up-and-down game. Fortunately for Xavier, West Virginia doesn’t play with the same speed that the Musketeers just faced.
West Virginia ranks 354th in pace, according to KenPom. They also do not tend to attack the offensive glass, opting instead to set up a defense and limit the opposing team’s transition play. Expect slower speeds and fewer possessions as Xavier’s selfless small-ball attack tries to generate baskets against a West Virginia defense that ranks 18th overall in KenPom and is stingy on the boards.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier vs. Charleston Classic Preview West Virginia