Basketball Xavier TCU Big East-Big 12 Battle: How to Watch, Listen and Stories. Xavier's last game outside the conference is Sunday (5 p.m., ESPN2) at Texas Christian University at the Big East-Big 12 Battle opening.
Junior Naji Marshall, Xavier's leading scorer (16.9), missed the Musketeers' last game due to a stomach virus, but will make the trip and play at TCU on Sunday.
"It's going to 100 percent," head coach Travis Steele said at the Big East Coaches' conference call when asked about Marshall's status. "It was like a small 24-hour contract. I was awake yesterday and here in the offices. I should practice today and I should be 100 percent ready."
The Musketeers are 10-2, but not as comfortable as Steele would like.
Basketball Xavier TCU Big East-Big 12 Battle
Too many questions remain unanswered, and at this point, with the big eastern portion of the impending calendar, Xavier needs to start generating positive momentum, which didn't happen last season until it was too late.
"We are 10-2 this season, but I don't think we played close to where we were able to play," Steele said. "I think we still have to put everyone on the same page, especially on the offensive side. Defensively we have been pretty good for the most part. So far this season we have been one of the best defensemen in the country but our L ' offensive execution and selection of shots and the ability to take care of the ball have been our shortcomings in this regard and we need to clear this area of the floor. "
Following Wednesday's win over West Carolina, Xavier moved up from No. 71 in the NCAA NET ranking to No. 65.
The Horned Frogs, no. 83 in the NETWORK, pose a real threat, ranked by KenPom.com as Team No. 31 in the country in defensive efficiency.
KenPom ranks Xavier as the 27th defense in the country.
On paper, this game is about hardness and execution. Xavier needs to remind himself he can hit the road and win tough games, and to do that Sunday, he starts with defense.
"Because we become a defensive team in the top 10, this is one possession per game. If we only clean one possession per game, we would be in the top 10 and that has to be our identity and when we play towards ours. identity, I've been pretty good at it, "Steele said. "Our team is not going to be very successful if we try to refine something. We have to be a sensational basketball team at both ends of the court and when we played it I think we were pretty good." "
Coached by Jamie Dixon, TCU (8-2) is an Elite Team in Ball Steals and Losses: KenPom ranks TCU in the top 14 nationally in both categories, which means Xavier has to value. basketball or it could be a long night.
"They have an All-American level player in Desmond Bane who is a great point guard and we really need to make it difficult to score the ball," Steele said. "They also have one of the best defensemen in the country. I really have to be able to take care of the ball against TCU ... it should be a great game, a great opportunity on Sunday."
Even more than a great chance for a win, it's an opportunity to boost the Big East game. A defeat Sunday only adds to the pressure of conference time.
The Musketeers may need pressure to find their best, but a win on Sunday could put Xavier on the right path as the mid-season regular season approaches.
the game
Notice: 5 p.m. Sunday, December 22 | Schollmaier Arena
TV / Radio: ESPN2 with play-by-play by Ted Emrich and analysis by Tim Welsh. the | Xavier Hall of Fame and former players Joe Sunderman ('79) and Byron Larkin ('88) will have the radio call at 55KRC-AM. Streaming is also available through Sirius (84), XM (84) and the Internet (84).
Series Info: The series is tied 1-1.
Exploration Report
projected alignments
Xavier Musketeers (10-2)
Coach: Travis Steele, Season Two | 29-18 overall
Offense: 74.0 PPG
Defense: 64.1 PPG
Player (position, height, key stat)
Paul Scruggs (G, 6-3, 15.2 PPG)
Quentin Goodin (G, 6-4, 8.4 PPG)
Naji Marshall (F, 6-7, 16.9 PPG)
Jason Carter (F, 6-8, 7.4 PPG)
Tyrique Jones (F, 6-9, 13.0 PPG)
TCU Cuckold Frogs (8-2)
Coach: Jamie Dixon Season 4 (17th overall) | 404-166 overall
Offense: 73.7 PPG
Defense: 60.7 PPG
Player (position, height, key stat)
Desmond Bane (G, 6-6, 16.1 PPG)
RJ Nembhard (G, 6-5, 12.9 PPG)
Kevin Samuel (C, 6-11, 11.5 PPG)
Jaire Grayer (G, 6-5, 9.1 PPG)
Edric Dennis (G, 6-3, 8.8 PPG)
Players to watch
Desmond Bane
A senior guard from Richmond, Indiana, Bane plays nearly 36 minutes per game and leads the Horned Frogs in scoring (16.1), steals (17) and triple (23 of 59) to go with 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Quentin Goodin
After his best game of the season, Goodin, a senior lineman, needs to handle TCU's pressure defense.
Steele said on Friday that horned frogs flood the ball, meaning musketeers must keep the ball moving and keep it safe.
Key to the game