Adam RittenbergMar 19, 2025, 11:54 PM ET
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- Faculty soccer reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern College.
DAYTON, Ohio — Maximum NCAA match groups dispatched to the First 4 view it as a chance or a nuisance, however infrequently, if ever, a bonus.
The First 4 is a logistical and preparation scramble, to not point out an additional recreation ahead of the beginning of what many imagine to be the real NCAA match. However Xavier discovered itself in an ordinary spot Wednesday evening towards Texas, enjoying simply 47 miles from its Cincinnati campus, in entrance of a raucous crowd that burst into “Let’s move X!” chants and flashed the “horns down” sign like a reflex.
The Musketeers wanted that form of atmosphere, and contributions from a number of slightly sudden assets, to conquer a Texas barrage within the first 1/2. After giving up 47 issues within the opening 20 mins, Xavier scored 47 within the ultimate 20 and received 86-80 in entrance of 12,546 at UD Area. The No. 11 seed complicated within the Midwest Area, the place it’ll face No. 6 seed Illinois on Friday evening in Milwaukee.
“That is one of the most largest video games I have been part of,” Xavier trainer Sean Miller mentioned.
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A mixture of environment and standout performances resulted in Miller’s proclamation. He felt his staff used to be “at the ropes” a number of occasions Wednesday, most effective to battle again and in the long run leapfrog a Texas squad that managed the paint and gained 23 issues from dynamic freshman Tre Johnson.
“It just about felt like a house recreation,” guard Marcus Foster mentioned. “Like Trainer Miller mentioned, we would have liked everyone to come out for us to tug that win, as a result of that used to be an excellent Texas staff.”
On an evening when Xavier entrance males Zach Freemantle and Ryan Conwell fought foul hassle and spotty capturing, Foster stepped to middle degree. The Furman switch scored a season-high 22 issues, together with 16 in the second one 1/2, and hit 4 of five from 3-point vary with 8 defensive rebounds.
Even supposing Freemantle got here alive overdue and reached double figures in scoring (15 issues) along Conwell (11) and 3 others, Xavier gained giant boosts from Foster and reserves Dante Maddox Jr. (10 issues) and Jerome Hunter (9).
“I simply sought after to be the participant everyone may just depend on,” Foster mentioned. “It used to be difficult for [Freemantle and Conwell], they handled foul hassle, so I in reality sought after to step in and be a key man to lend a hand us win.”
Xavier trailed via as many as 13 issues within the first 1/2 and used to be down 10 with not up to 12 mins left. However Foster sparked a 13-3 run that drew the Musketeers even. Then, they took their first lead for the reason that 14:48 mark of the primary 1/2 on a John Hugley IV 3-pointer with 5:07 left.
The Musketeers additionally tightened up defensively, after giving up their best first-half issues general of the season. Miller famous that Xavier has been a first-half staff that eroded every now and then towards quicker and deeper combatants within the Large East.
“This night, we didn’t put on down,” he mentioned. “If the rest perhaps we had a wearing-down impact, particularly with the way in which the group used to be towards Texas.”
2025 males’s NCAA match information
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Borzello: Speedy bracket
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The Longhorns ready for a road-like surroundings Wednesday and had confronted equivalent environments within the SEC. Texas guard Tramon Mark mentioned his staff used to be unaffected, however added of Xavier, “They undoubtedly fed off their crowd.”
“I want we’d have had extra Dayton enthusiasts than Xavier enthusiasts,” Texas trainer Rodney Terry mentioned. “This had the texture of a Candy 16 recreation this night, it in reality did.”
Texas would possibly not enjoy the Candy 16 this 12 months, and Terry’s activity standing might be doubtful after a 2d immediately early match go out. Terry, who’s 62-37 in 3 seasons as Texas’ trainer, expects to fulfill with athletic director Chris Del Conte to judge this system.
“On the finish of the day, it is in God’s palms,” he mentioned. “I are living my existence, I am a believer, and if God has plans for me to be right here, then I will be right here.”
Xavier’s NCAA match will proceed, in the meantime, despite the fact that the group in Milwaukee more than likely would possibly not be slightly as pleasant, particularly given Illinois’ proximity to Fiserv Discussion board.
“We now have were given to be a mature ballclub and keep in mind that simply for the reason that enthusiasts get loud and rowdy, we will’t let that impact our self assurance,” Foster mentioned. “We noticed these days the facility of getting enthusiasts, so we now have in reality were given to grasp what we are going into, and know it’ll be tougher and tougher.”
