Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Top tier emerging, Xavier plummeting

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Romaro Gill #35 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrate with teammates after scoring against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Romaro Gill #35 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrate with teammates after scoring against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 30: Scruggs of the Musketeers reacts. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 30: Scruggs of the Musketeers reacts. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

. . Xavier Musketeers. 9. player. 480.

Many people pegged Xavier as a fringe Top 25 team in the nation heading into this season. Over the first few months of on-the-court action, though, the Musketeers have really struggled to find any sort of offensive consistency as they look a bit disconnected on the court. That has been even more evident since the beginning of conference play as the team has dropped four of its first five Big East games to fall into a tie for seventh. Xavier had been ranked at No. 30 on KenPom prior to conference play but has dropped all the way to No. 56 in three short weeks.

Xavier has lost its last three games by 12 (vs. Seton Hall), 12 (vs. Creighton), and 20 (at Marquette), respectively. This most recent stretch is what has me the most concerned about Xavier because it is no longer hanging tough and giving itself a chance down the stretch of games. The Musketeers aren’t just dropping games because of their poor shooting but struggling in other facets as well. Taking into account only Big East games, Xavier’s offensive rating is eighth (out of 10) and its defense is significantly worse than anyone else’s.

There are definitely some issues in Cincinnati right now. Xavier is far too talented to be sitting at 12-6 (1-4 BE). There is still plenty of time left in the season, but it feels like the Musketeers are trending down to the point where they need to prove that they belong as an NCAA Tournament team. Their resume isn’t very good now. Opportunities abound in the coming weeks, but they have to figure it out.

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