XU Hoops: Muskies’ Season Ends with Loss to Butler

Xavier’s season ended rather abruptly. A loss to Butler, 70-69 in overtime in the first round of the Big East Tournament, ended the Musketeers’ season. Butler made two free throws late in overtime. Xavier once led the game 30-13 and enjoyed a double-digit halftime lead. Georgetown ended up winning the conference tournament. Xavier was offered a spot in the NIT, but declined the invitation. XU finishes the season 13-8, (6-9 Big East). Dwon Odom and Zach Freemantle each had 14 points for Xavier.

Xavier University Athletics

Georgetown defeated Creighton in the championship 73-48.

2020-21 Big East Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Villanova	—	—	16-6
Creighton	—	—	20-8
UConn	—	—	15-7
St. John’s	—	—	16-11
Seton Hall	—	—	14-13
Providence	—	—	13-13
Xavier	—	—	13-8
Georgetown	—	—	13-12
Marquette	—	—	13-14
Butler	—	—	10-15
DePaul	—	—	5-14

UC Hoops: Bearcats Win at Tulsa 70-69

Cincinnati escaped Tulsa with a one-point victory, Wednesday night. A late steal by the Bearcats, and a layup by Jeremiah Davenport led the Bearcats to victory. Keith Williams scored 24 points for UC. Davenport had 14 points himself. UC will play Tulane at home Friday night. Time: 4:00 p.m. TV: ESPN+

The Bearcats’ defense sealed the win, forcing a missed layup. (John Clanton, Tulsa World)

2020-21 American Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Wichita State	9-2	–	13-4
Houston	12-3	+1	18-3
Memphis	9-3	0.5	13-6
SMU	7-4	2	11-4
Cincinnati	6-5	3	8-8
Tulsa	7-8	4	10-10
UCF	6-10	5.5	8-11
South Florida	4-7	5	8-9
Tulane	4-10	6.5	9-10
Temple	4-10	6.5	5-10
East Carolina	2-8	6.5	8-8

XU Hoops: Xavier Loses to Providence, Remains on Bubble

Xavier is making its season more interesting, to the dismay of its fans. The Musketeers lost to the Providence Friars 83-68. The road contest was an important game for XU, but Zach Freemantle’s 24 points and 12 rebounds were not enough. Paul Scruggs added 22 points for X, but the Friars were led by Noah Horchler. The loss evens the season series, as Xavier beat Providence by a point earlier in the season. The Muskies’ now face No. 13 Creighton at home on Saturday. Time: 5:00 p.m. TV: FOX

Providence’s Noah Horchler (14) shoots, with Xavier’s Paul Scruggs (1) defending. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

2020-21 Big East Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Villanova	10-2	–	15-3
Creighton	13-4	+0.5	17-5
Seton Hall	10-7	2.5	13-10
UConn	8-6	3	11-6
Xavier	5-5	4	12-5
St. John’s	8-9	4.5	14-10
Providence	8-9	4.5	12-11
Butler	7-11	6	8-13
Georgetown	5-8	5.5	7-11
Marquette	6-10	6	11-12
DePaul	2-11	8.5	4-11

UC Hoops: Bearcats Blown out in Houston

The Cincinnati Bearcats were overwhelmed Sunday at no. 6 Houston, losing 90-52. The Bearcats allowed a season-high in points. They also turned the ball over 13 times, and shot only 30% from the field. Jeremiah Davenport scored 11 points for UC. Tari Eason scored 10 points for Cincinnati. The Cats’ fall to 7-8 (5-5, AAC). UC now plays Tulsa on the road Wednesday night at 9 pm. TV: ESPNU

UC’s David DeJulius (0) attempts a layup against Houston.

2020-2021 American Athletic Conference Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Wichita State	9-2	–	13-4
Houston	12-3	+1	18-3
Memphis	8-3	1	12-6
SMU	7-4	2	11-4
Tulsa	7-7	3.5	10-9
Cincinnati	5-5	3.5	7-8
South Florida	4-6	4.5	8-8
UCF	6-10	5.5	8-11
Tulane	4-9	6	9-9
Temple	3-10	7	4-10
East Carolina	2-8	6.5	8-8

UC Hoops: Bearcats Beat Temple and UCF

The Bearcats bested Temple 70-68 on Friday. Jeremiah Davenport and Mika Adams-Woods each scored 12 points for the Cats.’ Then Cincinnati beat UCF 69-68 on Sunday. This time, Keith Williams and David DeJulius both had 14 points. UC now has a 4 game winning streak, and is above .500 in conference play. They currently are 7-7 overall. Cincy swept Temple this season, and split the series against UCF. Cincinnati will play at No. 6 Houston on Sunday at 1 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Jeremiah Davenport (24) celebrates a victory over UCF. (Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati Enquirer)

2020-2021 AAC Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Wichita State	9-2	–	13-4
Houston	11-3	+0.5	17-3
Memphis	8-3	1	12-6
SMU	7-4	2	11-4
Cincinnati	5-4	3	7-7
Tulsa	7-7	3.5	10-9
UCF	5-10	6	7-11
Tulane	4-8	5.5	9-8
South Florida	3-6	5	7-8
Temple	3-9	6.5	4-9
East Carolina	2-8	6.5	8-8

XU Hoops: Muskies’ at 10-2

The Xavier Musketeers are off to a fast start at 10-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Xavier has only lost to No. 8 Creighton and Seton Hall on the road. Wins over Oklahoma, Marquette, and Providence stand out on XU’s schedule. The win over Providence was a buzzer-beater on Saturday. The Musketeers has had multiple games postponed due to Covid-19. The next game is at against Georgetown Jan. 26. This game will be televised on FS1.

Colby Jones (3) hit the game-winning basket for Xavier against Providence. (GoXavier.com)

2020-21 Big East Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Villanova	3-0	–	8-1
Creighton	6-1	+1	10-2
UConn	4-1	–	7-1
Seton Hall	6-2	+0.5	9-5
Xavier	3-2	1	10-2
Marquette	3-4	2	7-6
Providence	3-4	2	7-6
St. John’s	2-5	3	7-6
Butler	2-5	3	3-7
Georgetown	1-5	3.5	3-8
DePaul	0-4	3.5	1-4

From ESPN.com

UC Hoops: Disappointing Start

The Cincinnati Bearcats have started the season on the wrong foot. UC is 3-7 and in last place in the AAC. Whether it’s by a nail biter, or a blowout, losing seems to be the common theme. Only Furman, SMU, and Lipscomb have been beaten by UC. Tennessee, Georgia, USF, Tulsa, UCF, and Wichita State have all beaten the Bearcats. Temple is Cincy’s next opponent, with the Owls hosting the Bearcats 9 p.m. Wednesday in Philadelphia. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

The games against ECU and Tulane this week have postponed due to Covid-19.

David DeJulius (0) is a Junior transfer from Michigan, and is UC’s point guard.

2020-21 AAC Standings

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Houston	5-1	–	10-1
Wichita State	4-1	0.5	8-3
Tulsa	4-2	1	7-4
Memphis	2-1	1.5	6-4
SMU	3-2	1.5	7-2
South Florida	3-3	2	7-5
East Carolina	1-3	3	7-3
Tulane	1-3	3	6-3
UCF	1-3	3	3-4
Temple	1-3	3	2-3
Cincinnati	1-4	3.5	3-7

From ESPN.com

XU Falls to Wake 80-78

Xavier lost to Wake Forest on the road by two despite 30 points from the Musketeers’ Paul Scruggs, and 16 points from Naji Marshall. Quentin Goodin attempted a three-pointer at the end of the game, which was not successful for the Muskies.’ Xavier is 9-2, ranked 52nd by CBB Reference, but is just outside the top 25 in the Coaches’ and AP polls. XU will play Western Carolina (7-2, 136th) Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. TV: FS1 Radio: 700 WLW Line: Xavier favored by 15.

Xavier’s Kevin Carter (AP, Nell Redmond)

Cincinnati Basketball Starts 5-2

UC basketball defeated the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 72-65 (OT) Saturday night. This happened after Cincinnati finished the Paradise Jam tournament in third place. Cincinnati (*5-2, 76th*)beat Illinois State, lost to Bowling Green (OT), and then defeated Valparaiso (OT) in the Virgin Islands tournament.

Prior to the tourney, UC lost at Ohio State, and defeated Drake and Alabama A&M at home. The Bearcats will host Vermont (*5-3, 131st*) , tonight (12/3) at 7 PM. TV: CBSSN Radio: 700 WLW

UC guard Jarron Cumberland (34) drives to basket in game vs. UNLV (*3-6, 160th* (Enquirer).

 

*Records are Division I only, rankings are from sports-reference and rate a total of 353 teams (Div. I)

XU Hoops: Musketeers’ Season Over

Xavier lost to Texas in overtime Sunday, 78-76. XU (19-16, 10-10, 93rd) was on the road for the NIT sweet sixteen matchup. Tyrique Jones scored 22 points on 10-12 shooting and had 11 rebounds for Xavier. The Muskies’ Naji Marshall scored 19 points (7-17), and Zach Hankins added 13 (6-8). Texas’ (18-16, 8-11, 74th) Kerwin Roach II scored 21 points, and (6-13) and Jase Febres had 17 (6-10).  Xavier finishes the 2018-19 season in 4th place (tie) in the Big East regular Season, semifinalists in the Big East Tournament, and NIT 2nd round participants. This was Travis Steele’s first season as head coach. Next season Xavier will begin play in the Charleston Classic, which features teams that include Florida, Miami, UConn, and Buffalo.

Zach Hankins scored 13 points, but was unable to score on the final play of the game (Nick Wagner/American Statesman).