GREENSBORO, NC (93.7 The Fan) – Think back to the Pitt game at Northwestern or the Syracuse game when Pitt combined for 53 assists. That’s Xavier (26-9, 15-5) most days. The Musketeers lead the nation in assists per game as the Panthers await the 12:10p matchup Sunday on 93.7 The Fan.
Xavier averages 19 assists per game, that’s nearly four more than the best team in the ACC.
“Well, we're a very skilled team, and we're also an unselfish group,” said Xavier head coach Sean Miller. “You know, if you look at our starting five, we might be one of the only teams in the tournament that has five 1,000-point scorers. You know, we have a bunch of different players that can score, but we've been unselfish from day one.”
“When we play that style, whether we're really clicking, you know, that's the best version of our offense right there. I think that's -- it's a constant reminder of sharing the ball.”
“I think we just have a great team Chemistry,” Xavier’s Colby Jones said. “We have older guys on our team, and we all just know the game of basketball, and we know we're just trying to get the best shot each time for Xavier, and I feel like that's why we share the ball so well.”
They use those assists to get good shots, shooting 49.45% overall from the floor, fourth-best in Division 1. From three, they are even better, second in the nation at 39%. They average 81 points per game, which is 12th.
“I think they're at their best, Xavier, when they're forcing turnovers and getting out in transition,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “They are a dynamic transition offensive team, whether you scored off of missed shots and especially off of turnovers, so it's going to be imperative for us to really value the basketball
and make sure we're getting quality shots every time.”
Judging by the stats, you’d probably guess their guards score at a high level.
· First-team All-Big East Souley Boum (UTEP transfer) is a 6’3” graduate student averaging 16.5 points per game (42% from 3 with 77 made). Has 2,431 career points with 399 assists and 583 rebounds. Interesting stat-he’s made 31 of his last 32 free throws in the final minute of games
· 6’6” junior Colby Jones averages 15.1 ppg, had 29 points against Providence on 10-11 FG
· 6’4” senior Adam Kunkel is 10.4 points a game, 18 games in double figures
· The center is a force, 7’ Jake Nunge (Iowa transfer) drops 14 points per game (52% FG) with 7.9 rebounds. 11 double-doubles on the season
· In their comeback win over Kennesaw State, it was forward Jerome Hunter (Indiana transfer, 7.7ppg) who busted out for a career-high 24 points (8-11 FG).
Defensively, they give up 73.9 points per game and they are 296th in three-point percentage allowed. While they have good guard play they have more turnovers than they force. They are a plus 5.5 rebounding margin.
Down 13 to Kennesaw State on Friday, the Xavier defense held Kennesaw without a field goal for seven minutes and 54 seconds down the stretch and scoreless over the last 1:23.
Big wins-home against UConn (83-73), Marquette (80-76), Providence (85-83, OT), at UConn (82-79), Creighton 82-60 in Big East Tournament.
Twice Pitt and Xavier met in the NCAA Tournament, each team winning one. Tip off at 12:10p on 93.7 The Fan with pregame at 11:40a with Bill Hillgrove, Curtis Aiken and Cale Berger.