NEW YORK — In his first season teaching within the Large East, Richard Pitino usually praised the scoring prowess of Tre Carroll and lamented Xavier’s shaky protection.
After 4 straight NCAA event appearances, Marquette couldn’t compensate for the departures from final season’s roster and is ending a disappointing season.
For the second straight season, the Musketeers and Golden Eagles get collectively within the Large East event, however Wednesday’s opening-round contest is one with out an NCAA berth on the road.
Final season, the faculties met within the four-five matchup within the quarterfinals received by the Golden Eagles. However this 12 months is drastically completely different since Marquette is seventh and Xavier is tenth, with the winner dealing with second-seeded UConn on Thursday.
Xavier (14-17) earned its lowest seed within the event and is on the verge of its second shedding marketing campaign in three seasons. The Musketeers allowed 80 factors in 17 video games and misplaced 14 of these contests, together with Saturday’s 91-78 loss at Villanova.
Xavier allowed 56.5% capturing in its regular-season finale, the twelfth time it allowed no less than 50%. Xavier additionally allowed 13 3s and 24 assists and its protection negated a 21-point displaying from Jovan Milicevic.
“We guard no person. We simply guard no person,” Pitino mentioned. “We simply hope they miss. I like our guys. They’re making an attempt.”
After transferring from Florida Atlantic, Carroll averaged 18 factors and was second within the Large East behind Windfall’s Jaylin Sellers. Carroll missed an opportunity to win the scoring title by sitting out Saturday with a proper hip harm sustained throughout final week’s nine-point loss to Seton Corridor.
Carroll, who was named to the All-Large East first group, is day-to-day. If he sits, Isaiah Walker would doubtless get the beginning after scoring 10 factors Saturday.
Following the departures of Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell, Marquette (12-19) is ending its third shedding season as a Large East member although it heads into the event with three wins in its previous 4 video games.
The Golden Eagles allowed lower than 70 factors in every of their last 4 video games and earned a 68-62 victory over fourth-ranked UConn on Saturday, after they allowed 35.6% capturing and compelled 16 turnovers within the last regular-season sport for Ben Gold and Chase Ross.
“It has been a 12 months that, at instances, we have been good on one finish and never nearly as good on the opposite finish,” Marquette coach Shaka Sensible mentioned. “You bought to place them each collectively if you wish to win in March.”
Nigel James Jr. scored 19 on Saturday and had three 30-point video games in his freshman season, together with 30 factors in Marquette’s 96-88 loss at Xavier on Feb. 14.
–Larry Fleisher, Discipline Degree Media
