Xavier's journey over the past month has been nothing short of thrilling, with the pressure mounting as every game became a do-or-die moment for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Any slip-up could have spelled disaster, yet the Musketeers thrived under the weight of expectation, carving out a path to March Madness when many others faltered.
And they did it in style.
Xavier (21-10, 13-7 Big East) wrapped up its regular season with a statement—a seven-game winning streak capped by a 76-68 Senior Day victory over Providence in front of a packed, electric crowd at Cintas Center. Head coach Sean Miller couldn't help but be swept up in the moment. "I thought today was a magical day at Cintas Center," he said. "The heartbeat of the arena, the electricity—that’s how it’s supposed to be."
Xavier Punches Its Ticket?
As the streak rolled on, the Musketeers started cementing their spot in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Bracketologists, including ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, moved Xavier from the bubble into the projected field, thanks to key wins over Creighton and Butler. Lunardi had them as one of the last teams in before their matchup against Providence. A loss to the struggling Friars, who had dropped nine of their last ten, could have been disastrous—but Xavier held its nerve, dodging a bullet on the final day of the regular season.
That consistency paid off. Historically, teams with 21-plus wins heading into the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden have been virtually guaranteed an NCAA bid. Xavier, now 12-3 since hitting what felt like rock bottom in early January, seems poised to keep that tradition alive.
Freemantle’s Big Farewell
Senior Day at Cintas Center had a fitting protagonist: Zach Freemantle. The seasoned forward, a rare breed in modern college basketball, put on a show in his final home game. He opened hot, sinking his first three shots, then hit a cold spell before flipping the switch in the second half. He erupted for 19 of Xavier’s 40 second-half points, willing his team across the finish line.
"I couldn't lose this game," Freemantle said. "The last game at Cintas. It was a must-win."
And win they did, despite an overall shooting performance that was far from perfect. The Musketeers shot just 44.8% from the field and 7-of-20 from deep, but Freemantle’s efficiency (11-of-16) propelled him to a team-high 25 points. Over the winning streak, he’s been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 17.4 points on 59.7% shooting.
Other Key Contributors
While Freemantle stole the spotlight, he wasn’t alone. Jerome Hunter broke double figures for the first time since January 25, finishing with 12 points. Ryan Conwell knocked down four of Xavier’s seven three-pointers, tallying 21 points—his fourth consecutive 20-point outing. Dailyn Swain chipped in with eight, while Marcus Foster made his presence felt on both ends, contributing six points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
Xavier also found success at the free-throw line, going 17-of-21, while Providence struggled, making just four of 11 attempts. That disparity proved crucial in the closing minutes.
Late-Game Execution Saves Xavier
Despite the final score, this was no walk in the park for Xavier. The Musketeers never fully clicked on offense, and Providence, which connected on 12-of-24 from beyond the arc, kept the pressure on all game long. The Friars, led by a scorching 27-point performance from Bensley Joseph (who nailed seven triples), refused to go away.
With under five minutes left, Providence had trimmed an 11-point deficit to just five. But Xavier responded in crunch time, going on a 7-2 run to reestablish control. While the Friars were deadly from deep, Xavier’s defense made the difference elsewhere, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 20 points.
"We pressure the ball, we're more disruptive," Miller said. "We play with greater effort. We try to get deflections. We try to get the basketball when they drive it. We help each other a little more. That’s really grown."
Providence’s Three-Point Barrage
From the start, Providence stuck to its identity as a perimeter-heavy team, with 38.7% of its scoring coming from deep. Despite early foul trouble and eight first-half turnovers, the Friars stayed in the fight by lighting it up from long range. Joseph, who had been ice-cold over his previous three games (just 6-of-31 from the field), suddenly found his groove, draining three first-half triples to lead his team with 11 at the break.
Xavier, on the other hand, struggled out of the gates offensively. The Musketeers had dominated first halves at home recently, building double-digit leads in their previous three games at Cintas. But that wasn’t the case this time. They shot just 34.4% in the opening 20 minutes and led by only three at halftime. Conwell’s 13 first-half points, including three from deep, kept them afloat while Freemantle and Hunter combined for just 13.
Next Stop: Big East Tournament
With the regular season in the books, the focus now shifts to the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Thanks to St. John’s upset win over No. 20 Marquette earlier on Saturday, Xavier locked into a No. 4 seed, setting up a quarterfinal showdown against Marquette at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The two teams split their regular-season series, with each side winning on the road. That sets up a high-stakes rubber match with plenty on the line.
"Right now, in March, we’re playing our best," Miller said. "I think the teams that play against us would say that. We feel that. We’re also very healthy right now as we head to Madison Square Garden. We’ve gotta be at our best in New York City."
A deep run in the Big East Tournament could solidify Xavier’s NCAA Tournament bid and improve its seeding. But for now, the Musketeers can take a breath and savor what they’ve accomplished—turning a season that once seemed in jeopardy into one filled with March Madness potential.
One thing’s for sure: Xavier isn’t just happy to be in the conversation. They’re here to make noise.
Login