CHARLESTON, S.C. − At risk of its third double-digit loss in a four-game stretch, Xavier rallied from a 14-point hole in the opening round of the Charleston Classic vs. Georgia Nov. 21 but suffered its first gut-wrenching loss of the season.
Xavier had a two-point lead in the waning seconds of regulation before Georgia’s Marcus Millender’s late 3-pointer sank the Musketeers, 78-77.
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The non-conference portion of Xavier’s season will be full of firsts. Xavier has the beauty of a quick turnaround with only one day of rest in between games for the first (and only) time of the regular season as they wrap up the Charleston Classic Nov. 23 against West Virginia in the consolation bracket.
More: ‘Really, really proud.’ Takeaways from Xavier’s loss to Georgia
Xavier head coach Richard Pitino on 78-77 loss to Georgia in Charleston Classic: “To come back, fight, get the lead, it was great. Very, very proud of the group.”
“I haven’t watched a lot of West Virginia,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said. “I know they’re physical, they’re tough and they’re always good defensively. We’ll be in for a challenge.”
Tip: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, at TD Arena (5,100)
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TV/Radio: ESPN/WKRC-AM (550)
Ratings: Xavier is No. 97 in KenPom and West Virginia is No. 62.
History: Xavier holds a 2-1 all-time series lead vs. West Virginia, winning the previous meeting over Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers at Cintas Center in the Big East-Big 12 Battle in 2022. Xavier beat West Virginia in overtime in the Sweet 16 in 2008. West Virginia’s lone career win over Xavier came in Dec. 1979.
Ross Hodge is in his first season as head coach at West Virginia after spending the last two years at North Texas.
West Virginia Mountaineers scouting report
Record: 5-1
Head coach: Ross Hodge (5-1 at West Virginia, first season)
Offense: 71.8 ppg
Defense: 57.3 ppg
Overview: It’s another battle of first-year head coaches as West Virginia is led by Ross Hodge, who spent the last two seasons at North Texas. Hodge is West Virginia’s third head coach in as many seasons.
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West Virginia arrived in Charleston undefeated and untested after five home games to begin the year. The Mountaineers cruised to double-digit wins over Mount St. Mary’s (70-54), Lehigh (69-47), Pittsburgh (71-49) and Lafayette (81-59) with just one close call against Campbell (73-65).
The Mountaineers had an 11-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining against Clemson in the opening round of the Charleston Classic, but the Tigers hit some crucial 3-pointers down the stretch to win it, 70-67. West Virginia shot just 40.4% from the field overall and went 12-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Projected lineup
(Pos., Height, Stats)
Jasper Floyd (G, 6’3″, 10.5 ppg)
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Honor Huff (G, 5’10”, 17.2 ppg)
Treysen Eaglestaff (F, 6’6″, 5 ppg)
Brenen Lorient (F, 6’9″, 11.3 ppg)
Harlan Obioha (C, 7’0″, 8.5 ppg)
Xavier Musketeers scouting report
Record: 3-3
Head coach: Richard Pitino (3-3 at Xavier, first season)
Offense: 74.3 ppg
Defense: 74.3 ppg
Projected lineup
(Pos., Height, Stats)
All Wright (G, 6’3″, 10.7 ppg)
Malik Messina-Moore (G, 6’5″, 8.2 ppg)
Tre Carroll (F, 6’8″, 15.7 ppg)
Filip Borovicanin (F, 6’9″, 8 ppg)
Jovan Milicevic (F, 6’10”, 12.5 ppg)
Players to watch
Roddie Anderson III
Xavier’s depth is lacking as Anderson was the only non-starter to play more than eight minutes of Friday’s loss to Georgia.
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In 19-plus minutes off the bench, Anderson finished just 2-of-10 from the field and 0-for-3 from three-point range with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. He had a plus/minus of -15.
Filip Borovicanin
While he’s not playing center, Borovicanin is rebounding like a quality big man as of late and filling up the box score.
In the season-opener against Marist, Borovicanin played 12 scoreless minutes, finishing 0-for-5 from the field. In five games since, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals a night.
Chance Moore
Moore has been a double-digit scorer in each of the last three seasons, including twice at Missouri State and last year at St. Bonaventure. The NCAA approved a waiver allowing Moore a fifth year of eligibility and he had to sit out West Virginia’s first five games.
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Moore made his Mountaineer debut against Clemson and had 16 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He also hit a deep first-half buzzer beater to give West Virginia a 32-25 lead at the break.
Keys to a Xavier victory over West Virginia
Can Xavier build off defensive performance against Georgia?
A Xavier defense that was giving up points in droves took a stand against Georgia, which has one of the most high-powered offenses early this season.
Xavier’s Malik Messina-Moore defends in the second half of the Charleston Classic against Georgia. Xavier’s defense held Georgia to 25 points in the second half of its 78-77 loss at TD Arena.
Using a 2-3 zone, Xavier held Georgia to just 25 second-half points as the Bulldogs were content with trying to pull away from beyond the arc. Georgia shot just 32.3% from the field in the second half.
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“It was something that we worked on the last couple of days,” Pitino said. “It certainly saved us and almost stole a win.”
Can Xavier repeat that performance? West Virginia has had success from deep, connecting at a 35.5% clip, however it’s mostly been a one-man show.
Leading scorer Honor Huff is Xavier’s toughest matchup. Last season at Chattanooga, he led the nation in 3-pointers made (131) and finished the year shooting 41.6% from downtown. He’s 22-of-49 so far this season.
Will Xavier have enough in the tank against West Virginia?
Xavier will have just one day of rest between games in Charleston. After an emotional, physical battle with Georgia, Xavier will need to match the physicality of a West Virginia lineup that is one of the most experienced in the country.
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Offensively, Xavier shot just 38.6% against Georgia but played with only nine turnovers in an up-and-down game. Fortunately for Xavier, West Virginia doesn’t play with the same speed as the Musketeers just faced.
West Virginia ranks No. 354 in tempo, per KenPom. They also don’t often attack the offensive glass, opting instead to set up a defense and limit the opposing team’s transition game. Expect slower speeds and fewer possessions as Xavier’s selfless small-ball attack tries to generate buckets against a West Virginia defense that is No. 18 overall in KenPom and is stingy on the boards.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Charleston Classic preview of Xavier vs. West Virginia
