Xavier Musketeers' Exhibition Loss: A Learning Experience
It's a tough pill to swallow: Xavier's basketball team, brimming with fresh faces and no returning minutes, stumbled in their exhibition game against Murray State. But before you jump to conclusions, remember this was a mid-October tune-up. The real season starts later. This game served as a valuable learning opportunity for a team still finding its rhythm.
On October 18th, under the guidance of first-year head coach Richard Pitino, Xavier faced Murray State at the Cintas Center. The final score? Murray State 75, Xavier 70. Xavier found themselves trailing by seven points at halftime and even down by as many as 13 in the second half. However, they mounted a comeback to tie the score late in the game. Unfortunately, Murray State sealed the deal with nine free throws in the final minute and a half.
Coach Pitino, keeping perspective, reminded everyone, "The game doesn't count. There's a lot to learn from it and what we need to work on." He acknowledged the internet's tendency to "clown" after a loss, but emphasized the bigger picture: the season opener on November 3rd.
Xavier's Comeback Attempt Falls Short
Despite the loss, there were glimpses of potential. Guards Tre Carroll and Malik Messina-Moore sparked the offense in the second half. Carroll, a transfer from Florida Atlantic, led the Musketeers with 21 points. Messina-Moore, a Montana transfer, hit Xavier's first 3-pointer of the game with 18:08 remaining.
Carroll's impressive second-half performance saw him score 15 points, tying the game at 64-64 with just 1:14 left. Ultimately, Xavier couldn't secure the win, with turnovers in the final seconds preventing them from attempting a game-tying shot. Carroll noted the team's focus on driving to the basket, a strategy they employed effectively.
Four Xavier starters reached double figures, including Roddie Anderson III, Messina-Moore, and Filip Borovicanin, each with 12 points. However, their combined shooting performance was 11-of-37 from the field.
Early Offensive Struggles for Xavier
The first half was a struggle for Xavier's offense. They lacked a consistent go-to scorer and shot a mere 9-of-32 from the field (28.1%). They struggled mightily from beyond the arc, going 0-for-6 from 3-point range and committing seven turnovers. Murray State capitalized, entering halftime with a 33-26 lead.
Xavier's improved free-throw shooting (24-of-31) helped them rally. Messina-Moore acknowledged the team's ongoing process of building camaraderie, stating that they'll get better with time.
Richard Pitino's Rotation in Action
Coach Pitino utilized an eight-man rotation in the first half, partly to find an offensive spark and partly due to foul trouble. Murray State reached the bonus in under eight minutes. Three bench players—All Wright, Pape N’Diaye, and Jovan Milicevic—combined for eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Defensive Challenges for Xavier
While both teams started slowly offensively, Murray State eventually found their rhythm. Xavier initially led 19-12, but Murray State closed the half with a 21-7 run, taking a seven-point lead into halftime.
Murray State's top shooter, Brayden Shorter, made them pay by knocking down five triples. Xavier's defense did manage to convert 13 Murray State turnovers into 17 points. Coach Pitino emphasized the need for more deflections, steals, and blocked shots.
Murray State's Key Performers
First-year head coach Ryan Miller brought a high-octane offensive approach. Fred King, a former Bluejays big man, stood out with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Guard KJ Tenner was crucial down the stretch, sinking all 8 of his free throws, with six in the final minute.
Anthony Robinson's Impact
Anthony Robinson, a 6-foot-10 Virginia transfer, made an early impact for Xavier, showcasing his skills on both ends of the court. He was active on the glass, contributing to nine second-chance points. Despite his strong start, foul trouble limited his playing time, and he fouled out with 3:11 left in the game.
The Big Picture
This exhibition game was a glimpse into the work ahead for Xavier. With a roster in transition, the focus is on growth and improvement. What do you think? Did the exhibition game reveal any unexpected strengths or weaknesses? Share your thoughts in the comments below! What are your expectations for Xavier this season?
