Xavier has found its offensive rhythm over its last three games, something it will try to carry over into Monday night’s home game against Saint Francis in Cincinnati.
Winners of three of their last four games, the Musketeers (5-3) have made at least 11 3-pointers in each of their last four. They’ve also had at least 19 assists in three of those games, showing great ball movement and having it lead to open looks from 3-point range.
The Musketeers hit 12 3-pointers in their 88-67 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday.
“Confidence is just growing, growing and growing,” head coach Richard Pitino said. “The 3-point line has got to be a big part of this identity. We know that.”
Through eight games, the Musketeers are averaging 11 3-pointers per game and are shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Tre Carroll leads the Musketeers in scoring with 15.3 points per game. He’s one of four Musketeers averaging double digits, joined by Jovan Milicevic (13.8), Roddie Anderson III (12.1) and All Wright (10.9).
Filip Borovicanin leads Xavier with 31 assists, with Malik Messina-Moore at 30 assists. Xavier averages 17.9 assists per game.
“The ball moves with our team. That’s what I really like,” Milicevic said. “When guys are getting me open, knocking down shots is easy. Happy to have a great group of guys moving the ball.”
Saint Francis (1-6) is coming off its first win of the season Saturday, an 85-60 victory over Division III Franciscan. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to start the season for the Red Flash, a streak that included losses to Oklahoma, TCU and Belmont.
Skylar Wicks leads the Red Flash in scoring at 19 points per game and 14 3-pointers.
Where the Red Flash struggle is taking care of the ball, with a 0.7 assist-to-turnover ratio through seven games. Saint Francis averages 12.3 assists per game, but it turns the ball over 16.7 times per game.
Red Flash guard KJ Swain Jr. attended Xavier before transferring to Saint Francis in 2023 and walking onto their basketball team. The Ohio native was given a scholarship before this season and is excited for the homecoming game.
“I am ready. My whole family is behind me. I am excited, I can’t wait for this game,” Swain told Saint Francis’ athletics website.
This is Xavier’s final game before it hosts the Crosstown Shootout rivalry game against Cincinnati on Friday.
–Field Level Media
