Game Thread: Xavier v Butler (3/5/2025)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/TeoAAOSw101fsFoH/s-l200.jpg

CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 19-10 overall and 11-7 in the BIG EAST Conference, visit the Butler University Bulldogs, 13-16 overall and 6-12 in the BIG EAST, on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Xavier is shooting for its sixth-straight win and its 20th win overall.

Xavier won the first meeting with Butler 76-63 on February 18 at Cintas Center and leads the all-time series 49-27.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (19-10, 11-7 BIG EAST)
BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (13-16, 6-12 BIG EAST)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 AT 7:00 pm ET
AT HINKLE FIELDHOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

TV/Stream: CBS Sports Network with play-by-play from Andrew Catalon and analysis from Steve Lappas.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC-AM with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also available on the Varsity Network and on Sirius XM.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).

[bjf123]

Be careful

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[muskiefan82]

I think Thad and Butler should recognize that they are not going anywhere this year and the best thing they can do is realize that getting another BE team in the dance is good for the league and for Butler. Knowing that, they should make it look good for a bit and then lie down and take a 30 point beatdown. For the good of everyone.

[drudy23]

Win please.

Need it.

[Xville]

Opened at x -1.5. This game makes me way more nervous than creighton. I thought due to being at home, and all the hoopla around it, we’d take care of creighton. Nervous as hell for this one… x has everything to lose, butler can play very loose and free in front of their home crowd.

[Tim]

Opened at x -1.5. This game makes me way more nervous than creighton. I thought due to being at home, and all the hoopla around it, we’d take care of creighton. Nervous as hell for this one… x has everything to lose, butler can play very loose and free in front of their home crowd.

Without question it's significantly more concerning than Creighton at home. I swear I actually feel better about making the BET finals than winning at Butler.

If someone offered me a Xavier win tomorrow night for $50, I'd gladly contribute. So with that mindset I'm going to put 50 on butler and hope I lose.

[Xavier]

Just think Butlers strength and weakness match up with ours. I was definitely more worried about Creighton. We’ve had a few weird games at Butler, and you always have to worry they can just be hot from 3, but I’d expect to win this one 7/10 times. Given the circumstances, 9/10.

Having said that I never like feeling this confident about a game so….that, too, has me worried

[X-band '01]

Instagram now teasing that Xavier will wear the Runningman blues tomorrow night. Surprised this would be the first time in the Big East era X has done so at Butler.

[JTG]

I have never felt confident at Hinkle going clear back to the MCC days. They have never had more talent, even their 2 FF teams. Yet they have won more than their share at home

[Xville]

X is now -3.5 Gamblers love them tonight.

[HenryMuto]

Scary that X is barely favored I can't even imagine how I will feel with a loss tonight.

[Xville]

First six minutes is probably the worst defense I’ve seen from this team this year. Zero effort, absolutely fucking zero.

[GoMuskies]

Nice defense fellas.

[noteggs]

Umm you may need to guard the 3 point line today

[Xuperman]

Just hoping McCaffery does not go off.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Well, not behind here yet. Hoping this is just a slow start and they pull it together.

[Xuperman]

Well, not behind here yet. Hoping this is just a slow start and they pull it together.

I take a 5 point game with 5 to go.

[Xville]

Better.. not great, but better

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Points in the paint are a good sign, we are certainly winning there.

[xu82]

Better.. not great, but better

Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that….

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Go Hugley !

[GoMuskies]

Great stretch. Team is so much better when Hugley is an actual college basketball player.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

McKnight and Maddox with 2 fouls is not good.

[xu82]

“Conwell, left alone, can’t do that…” as he’s launching.

[GoMuskies]

When's the last time Free hit a three?

[Tim]

When's the last time Free hit a three?

Depends on if you mean during garbage time or not.

[Xville]

I hate this game at hinkle every year.

[noteggs]

Amazing we have the lead with butter going 7-10 from 3

[GoMuskies]

They're running the Macura 1-3-1. Effectively.

[GoMuskies]

That Conwell shot makes this feel a lot different at halftime.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Well not great but like the way the half ended. Keep Maddox and McKnight out of foul trouble in the 2nd, tighten the defense at the arc and it's look ok.

[Tim]

They're 8 for 13 from 3 and we're up 4. Either they stay hot and we lose or they cool off and we win comfortably. Does the Hinkle curse win out or the law of averages?

[Xville]

Thank goodness for conwell that half. If x can play just average d in the 2nd, should easily win but who knows what team shows up

[xukeith]

What happened to that switching intense defense that we saw vs CU?

I think after the first Miller time out X did well for only 5 minutes. Zone issues?

[Xville]

Great start to the half. Keep it going and extend the lead. Could use another blowout for metrics

[Xville]

D has shown up in the 2nd half. Bury them!

[Xuperman]

We've been here before. Just waiting for the bulldog run.

[GoMuskies]

Swain dunk fest

[noteggs]

Hell no on the Butler run! Stay focused guys!

Fingers crossed

[Xville]

10 point lead and I have heart palpitations

[noteggs]

Don’t let off the freaking gas!

[xu82]

10 point lead and I have heart palpitations


It’s probably just gas.

[Xville]

Love seeing conwell trying to hammer it!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Some foul trouble brewing.

[GoMuskies]

This game feels like it's lasting forever.

[GoMuskies]

Oklahoma hammering Mizzou early.

[Xville]

Oklahoma hammering Mizzou early.

Yeah Mizzou has been playing like dick as of late and doesnt really have anything to play for right now. Didn’t think they’d win this one. Lots of time left but still.

As far as x just win these last two wars and win by 15+ to help those metrics

[noteggs]

Again don’t let your foot off the gas! Doing good so far by continuing the offensive flow.

[Tim]

Foster is horrible tonight

[Strange Brew]

Big shot Free!

[GoMuskies]

Let there be carnage around us the next 5 days!

[Xville]

Damn good offense and d just good enough. Lfg!

[GoMuskies]

Providence lost at home to DePaul tonight. Providence maybe the worst team in the league currently.

[drudy23]

Love it. Finish the season on Saturday.

Playing the best ball of the year.

[Xville]

Some really great news. If uc had a bubble it just popped

[drudy23]

Cmon if we end 21-10 and 13-7 in conference, that's an NCAA resume.

There's no way teams well below .500 in the Big12 should be in ahead of us.

[drudy23]

And I'm giving big ups to The Big Frosty.

Tremendously consistent all year, and wow, showed off all of his post skills tonight.

He's had some rough patches in his X career, but his final year has been OUTSTANDING!!!!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Some really great news. If uc had a bubble it just popped

They still have OSU in Stillwater and the B12 tourney. They still have a chance if they make a small run of 2-3 straight wins. Meanwhile, we still have a must win Providence at home.

[Xavgrad08]

Huge win. X is playing with a lot of confidence.

[drudy23]

They still have OSU in Stillwater and the B12 tourney. They still have a chance if they make a small run of 2-3 straight wins. Meanwhile, we still have a must win Providence at home.

No chance.

They are done unless they win the B12 tourney.

[Three Point Pete]

Never a doubt

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[muskiefan82]

Swain with the double/ double

[Xville]

They still have OSU in Stillwater and the B12 tourney. They still have a chance if they make a small run of 2-3 straight wins. Meanwhile, we still have a must win Providence at home.

They have as many q1 wins as x with a shit overall record. They are out barring a big 12 championship and that’s not happening

[xukeith]

Very happy X won by 13. Was hoping for 20.
That's the biggest margin of a Butler home loss this season.

Now maybe Butler can win their next 2 games and move up to top 70 NET for a X win to be quad 1.

[Strange Brew]

One more to go and win at least one in the BET.

Let’s go X!

[Xville]

Two more wins to feel absolutely safe. At the very least, it’s been a really nice turn around since that 1-4 start in conference.

[HenryMuto]

Good solid road win

[Xavier]

Ville weren’t there a ton of posters giving you garbage thinking X could still get to 12/13 wins in conference after that start?

Kinda crazy, a game where foster and Maddox were rough and X still wins easily. Really a 5 min stretch to end first half was bad, great outside of that. Dominant game

[Xville]

Ville weren’t there a ton of posters giving you garbage thinking X could still get to 12/13 wins in conference after that start?

Kinda crazy, a game where foster and Maddox were rough and X still wins easily. Really a 5 min stretch to end first half was bad, great outside of that. Dominant game

Yeah but I said that last year as well so is what it is. :) . Kind of strange that the back half of x’s schedules the last two years have been so much easier on paper.


Great roadkill, on to senior night and then just get one more so we can enjoy the tourney a bit please

[Xuperman]

Ville weren’t there a ton of posters giving you garbage thinking X could still get to 12/13 wins in conference after that start?

At least me. I love being wrong that way.

[Xuperman]

X starting 1-4 coming off a loss to UC had many here disgusted. That's when I set the over/under at 8.

[MHettel]

Yeah but I said that last year as well so is what it is. :) . Kind of strange that the back half of x’s schedules the last two years have been so much easier on paper.


Great roadkill, on to senior night and then just get one more so we can enjoy the tourney a bit please

Big difference between last year and this year. Last year, as the hole got bigger you kept doubling down. It was pretty apparent after awhile that you were just cheering for the team as opposed to evaluating them objectively.

This year, we were at what 5-6 or something where the top end was 13-7. Almost all of us agreed that it was possible, but not likely. Then we won the next game…and the next one…etc.

I haven’t counted us out this year. I said the odds were long, but I didn’t throw in the towel. The team has risen to the challenge and now needs to finish the job. Might even require a BET win.

Coming in hot helps I hope

[Xville]

Big difference between last year and this year. Last year, as the hole got bigger you kept doubling down. It was pretty apparent after awhile that you were just cheering for the team as opposed to evaluating them objectively.

This year, we were at what 5-6 or something where the top end was 13-7. Almost all of us agreed that it was possible, but not likely. Then we won the next game…and the next one…etc.

I haven’t counted us out this year. I said the odds were long, but I didn’t throw in the towel. The team has risen to the challenge and now needs to finish the job. Might even require a BET win.

Coming in hot helps I hope

Not really, there was no hole. X was 7-5 in conference at one point with a clear path to get to 13 wins. It didn’t happen. This year there were plenty who didn’t think it was possible either. I happened to be right this time. I know you’ve never been wrong in your life. But, this is pretty par for the course for you so I wouldn’t expect anything less.

[XUGRAD80]

Always a good day when X beats Buttler! Clinched a bye in the BET too.

[Three Point Pete]

X starting 1-4 coming off a loss to UC had many here disgusted. That's when I set the over/under at 8.Not so much disgusted, I was more dismayed. Because that stretch was without Freemantle and it could have easily been 3-2.
We get Free back, but forget how to make treys vs. Gtwn with 30% (7/23) and St. John's 22% (4/18).


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[MHettel]

Not really, there was no hole. X was 7-5 in conference at one point with a clear path to get to 13 wins. It didn’t happen. This year there were plenty who didn’t think it was possible either. I happened to be right this time. I know you’ve never been wrong in your life. But, this is pretty par for the course for you so I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Last years team was a below .500 team, and it was obvious. And we kept losing, and you kept betting on them.

And, by the way you made ZERO definitive statements on this team at any time. We all agree that there was enough time and a reasonable schedule for this team to get to 13 wins if they played to their potential.

You didn’t stick you neck out in any way, at any time.

You were way wrong last year when you made a stand. And this year you weren’t wrong when you took no position. Those don’t cancel each other….

[Xville]

Kenpom 42, net probably around 47ish? Metrics creeping up. Beat Providence by double digits and maybe we climb into the 30s in Kenpom.

Qtr final game most likely against Marquette over UConn. Things are starting to fall into place.

[Xville]

Last years team was a below .500 team, and it was obvious. And we kept losing, and you kept betting on them.

And, by the way you made ZERO definitive statements on this team at any time. We all agree that there was enough time and a reasonable schedule for this team to get to 13 wins if they played to their potential.

You didn’t stick you neck out in any way, at any time.

You were way wrong last year when you made a stand. And this year you weren’t wrong when you took no position. Those don’t cancel each other….

Obvious huh? Were they 7-5 at some point? They kept losing and I kept betting on them? Hmm interesting take. Probably didn’t last long since they did end up losing the next four. You do like to rewrite some history though. Kind of like how you move goalposts on all your nil predictions that go sideways.

Both years, I said there was a path due to the front loaded schedule. Last year, they ended up falling apart at the end. This year the team turned it around.

[Xville]

Whoa lunardi finally has us in. Last team in.

[X-band '01]

The first four minutes of the 2nd half dictated this final score. Butler blew multiple opportunities to actually take a lead at halftime and it felt like the 3 from Conwell to close out the first half was a foreboding sign. Swain at one point had back-to-back steals and breakaway dunks and the Xavier fans definitely took over Hinkle at that point.

Also seemed odd that Butler had a Margaritaville-like promotion with leis being passed out to fans at the doors. Their fans were in more of a Fat Tuesday mentality and Xavier fans looked like they were in business trip mode. Now they get one final soft game at home that they better not overlook. Even if it is a Providence team that's probably mailed it in for this season.

[X-band '01]

Some really great news. If uc had a bubble it just popped

Did you see Wes Miller's presser last night? That sounded like a coach who knows he may well get canned at the end of the season.

[Xville]

Did you see Wes Miller's presser last night? That sounded like a coach who knows he may well get canned at the end of the season.

Ha no but it sounds awesome! Unfortunately for UC his massive buyout is going to prevent that from happening. I hope he stays there forever.

[atljar]

Did you see Wes Miller's presser last night? That sounded like a coach who knows he may well get canned at the end of the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBbhDeE9yes

Worth watching the melt down if anyone cares

[GoMuskies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBbhDeE9yes

Worth watching the melt down if anyone cares

Where was the meltdown? I didn't find anything particularly notable about that press conference.

[Xavier]

Wes is UCs Steele. I said it awhile ago (as did most X fans) . He’s not a good coach. It’s hard to win with his coaching personality- a nice guy, cheerleader type coach. Trying to be always positive and push guys to be better that way. When you have to be tough and angry, it comes off as fake. Steele was the same way.

I admittedly thought they got a good coach in Miller. It was obvious he was in over his head.

[drudy23]

Wes is UCs Steele. I said it awhile ago (as did most X fans) . He’s not a good coach. It’s hard to win with his coaching personality- a nice guy, cheerleader type coach. Trying to be always positive and push guys to be better that way. When you have to be tough and angry, it comes off as fake. Steele was the same way.

I admittedly thought they got a good coach in Miller. It was obvious he was in over his head.

The Steele comparisons are dead on.

They even have the same fake mean mug after embarrassing losses.

There's a reason guys like that often go down a level and succeed. They have the coaching chops to be successful, but the high-profile conferences bring an entire new layer of expectations and pressures. You need to win right away (or at a minimum continue to improve) or face a cold and desperate existence.

[muskiefan82]

If you just listen without looking, it sounds like Cronin

[X-band '01]

Not a chance. Wes would have to throw his players, staff and fans under the bus for that to happen.

Then he'd have to drive over them and keep going back and forth over them.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Not a chance. Wes would have to throw his players, staff and fans under the bus for that to happen.

Then he'd have to drive over them and keep going back and forth over them.

Yeah this, Cronin would not have hesitated to run over his guys for an effort like that. He wouldn't even flinch, zero accountability. Miller is the polar opposite. Damn, the Steele comparison could be spot on. Miller is getting two top 60 guys next season to pair with James, Reed, Mitchell, etc. They are trending up with talent. I don't know much about Abaev and Tillery but they are rated at or higher than Lewis (yes rankings are just an opinion).

He is getting the guys in, he just need to coach them better. I liked him out of Greensboro with the exception that he never won that tourney game. That is usually the stone mid-major coaches cross to advance.

[muskiefan82]

I meant just the way he sounds - not his actual words. That high sniveling sound. Agreed he did not provide the level of under-bus throwing Cronin does. It was just the tone and sound. Weird. Also, have we ever considered that Cronin has to throw his players under the bus because he can't see over the bumper?

[JTG]

Yeah this, Cronin would not have hesitated to run over his guys for an effort like that. He wouldn't even flinch, zero accountability. Miller is the polar opposite. Damn, the Steele comparison could be spot on. Miller is getting two top 60 guys next season to pair with James, Reed, Mitchell, etc. They are trending up with talent. I don't know much about Abaev and Tillery but they are rated at or higher than Lewis (yes rankings are just an opinion).

He is getting the guys in, he just need to coach them better. I liked him out of Greensboro with the exception that he never won that tourney game. That is usually the stone mid-major coaches cross to advance.

Steele being a nice guy made him a great recruiter. If Steele was Sean's recruiter we would have brought in better talent the last 2 years. His recruiting made Mack's teams talent. His issue is high level coaching.

[xudash]

Like to give a shout out to the Xavier fans who travelled in order to make Hinkle sound a little like Cintas Northwest.

That had to be humiliating to our little "rival" - Indy Star once again declared us Butler's rival.

Enjoyable television last night.

[94GRAD]

Like to give a shout out to the Xavier fans who travelled in order to make Hinkle sound a little like Cintas Northwest.

That had to be humiliating to our little "rival" - Indy Star once again declared us Butler's rival.

Enjoyable television last night.

You're welcome