The Holy Land of Hoops

Marquette and Xavier meet for the first time as members of the Big East. Xavier entering the game as 4.5 point favorites.

Last meetings that don't mean anything
The teams haven't met since Marquette beat Xavier in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
The teams haven't met in the regular season since Marquette beat Xavier in the 2009 Old Spice Classic.
The teams haven't played an on-campus regular season game since December 16, 2000, when Xavier beat Marquette in Cincinnati.
The teams haven't met as conference rivals since Xavier beat Marquette in Cincinnati on February 7, 1991, when both schools were members of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now the Horizon League).

to me this is the kind of game years past that Marquette wins. This year- just don't know. It's early- but this is a huge one for Marquette.

X is due for a bad game...can only play well so many games in row.

That being said, the teams that usually give the pack line defense fits are teams that can light it up from the outside. Small, athletic teams that are shooting guard heavy. I am not sure Marquette fits that mold.

Is X looking ahead to a showdown in Omaha Sunday?

Or is X the 90% winning team in Cintas no matter what the situation or whom the opponent?


Big picture, I have no feel for this game.

Looking at this one from an unbiased prospective, I see this game as a toss up. Xavier has been playing very well as of late, and being at home tonight is a big advantage. At the same time Marquette has been underperforming all season while they have plenty of talent and potential. My gut instinct tells me that Marquette will steal one in Cincy tonight, but my brain says X by a half dozen... Either way expecting a great game, and a good lead into the CU vs X showdown upcoming on Sunday.

If Gardner starts MU wins, if he doesn't and only splits time with Otule at 5 MU loses.

xu1990 wrote:That being said, the teams that usually give the pack line defense fits are teams that can light it up from the outside. Small, athletic teams that are shooting guard heavy.

I hope that holds true all season long...

I'm sticking with my prediction from my blog post: Ugly, defensive game, with Xavier having an edge.

http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/20 ... e-to-town/

XUFan09 wrote:I'm sticking with my prediction from my blog post: Ugly, defensive game, with Xavier having an edge.

http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/20 ... e-to-town/

Has to be ugly with Marquette's offense. I go with Xavier too.

I have never seen more ticky Tac calls in my life... Jim burr needs to retire like 5 years ago

Weird to think that the preseason favorite could miss the NCAA tournament altogether.