Game Thread: NCAA Xavier University v University of Texas (3/19/2025)

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1...2&odnBg=FFFFFF VS.https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8d/bf/d6/8...938ce5bfd5.jpg


CINCINNATI --- The No. 11 seed Xavier University Musketeers, 21-11 overall and 13-7 in the BIG EAST Conference, take on the No. 11 seed University of Texas Longhorns, 19-15 overall and 6-12 in the SEC, on Wednesday night in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. This is the fourth time that Xavier and Texas have met in the NCAA Tournament. The first three meetings were in the Regional Semifinals, including 2023.

Xavier opened the 2024-25 season with an October charity exhibition vs. the Dayton Flyers. This is the third time that Xavier has played an NCAA game at UD Arena. XU played Alcorn State in the 1983 Opening Round and North Carolina State in the 2014 First Four.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST)
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS (19-15, 6-12 SEC)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 AT 9:10 P.M. ET
UDUMP, DAYTON, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

TV: truTV with Spero Dedes (pbp), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Jon Rothstein (reporter).
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-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.
National Radio: Westwood One with Nate Gatter (pbp) and King McClure (analyst).

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com

Gov. Abbott told Joe Kernan on Squawk Box this morning that Texas would beat Xavier. I think he might be biased, though. Joe expressed the standard Xavier fan concern about our team's second half struggles this year.

Win please.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the arena sounded like a home game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drudy23

Win please.

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This x10000, we actually have a decent draw if we can play a complete game and not blow a lead.

Happy NCAA Tournament Day! Only our 4th one of these in the last 7 years, so make sure to enjoy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GIMMFD

This x10000, we actually have a decent draw if we can play a complete game and not blow a lead.

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Need the intensity on defense. Can't come out flat and repeat what UNC did.

UNC was on fire and SDSU's inept offense cratered. I think Texas is going to come out strong, we can't let them clobber us like the S16 game. I think these players are more physical than that X team. I don't think we let them push us around. If we get good shots to fall, and score inside with Free, I think we should be ok.

It’s a lot of one on one ball from Texas. They will have a maddening amount of possessions where it’s nothing and they make a wild play with 5 seconds on the shot clock. Limit turnovers, attack the boards.

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

What’s our record in the last 30 or so years against Texas?

Didn’t they beat us in the S16 in 1990 or so? Then we beat them in 2003 (year?). I feel like we played them in the NIT in the last 10 years, but can’t remember the outcome. Of course they smashed us 2 years ago in the S16.

I feel like we owe them one

https://x.com/Danagardens/status/1902388521253351599

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MHettel

What’s our record in the last 30 or so years against Texas?

Didn’t they beat us in the S16 in 1990 or so? Then we beat them in 2003 (year?). I feel like we played them in the NIT in the last 10 years, but can’t remember the outcome. Of course they smashed us 2 years ago in the S16.

I feel like we owe them one

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I think it's 1-2.

We had them down big at halftime in 1990 and then Lance Blanks took over. Will always remember that name.

Then Rick Barnes imploded in the Sweet 16 game and gave us like 6 free throws to salt it away.

And two years ago, we had no shot.

I think they got us in an NIT road game also during the Steele years.

They did. Missed free throws at the end or we would have won

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drudy23

I think it's 1-2.

We had them down big at halftime in 1990 and then Lance Blanks took over. Will always remember that name.

Then Rick Barnes imploded in the Sweet 16 game and gave us like 6 free throws to salt it away.

And two years ago, we had no shot.

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We played Texas a few other times, and hold a 2-4 record against them all time:

12/30/1981 - Lost at Riverfront Coliseum
12/7/1982 - Won in OT at Texas
3/22/1990 - Lost in Sweet 16 in Dallas TX
3/26/2004 - Won in Sweet 16 in Atlanta GA
3/24/2019 - Lost in NIT at Texas
3/24/2023 - Lost in Sweet 16 in Kansas City MO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MHettel

What’s our record in the last 30 or so years against Texas?

Didn’t they beat us in the S16 in 1990 or so? Then we beat them in 2003 (year?). I feel like we played them in the NIT in the last 10 years, but can’t remember the outcome. Of course they smashed us 2 years ago in the S16.

I feel like we owe them one

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I think I was trying to get to that game, but airfare alone was over $800 in 1990 dollars. I remember being glad I didn’t pull the trigger.

#1 of 64 teams. Perfect

https://www.si.com/college-basketbal...urnament-field

"The Strong Survive" - https://youtu.be/4cxviIiapyI?si=e_zUVK5K8P_Lssdd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 94GRAD

https://x.com/Danagardens/status/1902388521253351599

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Public reps while The Man insists I spread the reps.

I'm starting to get relatively excited for this one.

Kentucky played a tough game at Texas this year Johnson and Mark combined for like 50 something pts pretty much couldn't stop them. Kentucky controlled most of the game led by 5 with 4 mins left but fell apart down the stretch because our top 3 ball handlers were out Butler, Kriisa and Robinson and we turned the ball over vs press a number of times the last 4 mins and blew the lead.

Xavier should not have that same issue. Just need to keep Johnson and Mark in check.

Kids in bed. Beer in hand. Let’s do this!

Who else is nervous as hell?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoMuskies

Who else is nervous as hell?

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Yes.

Lid on basket early.

That’s what they finally called?

Ok, both teams tight. Game really starts now.

Need Swain to get it going. Rough couple of games.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoMuskies

Who else is nervous as hell?

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[emoji2321]


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Hate stupid fouls on setting picks! Not smart Free!

Calm down a bit Swain and play our game. Guys are doing fast switching to keep Johnson and Mack in front of them. Don't like Free wiht 2 already.

Ref show.

Damn Free has 2.fouls Uh Oh

What is McKnight doing out there?

Two early nickel/dines on Free.

Nice game stripes.

We're a mess so far.

What is Davyion doing?

Ball game.

It is early but most X guys can't make a shot. Nerves?