Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Seton Hall, Villanova leap ahead

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 22: Alpha Diallo #11 of the Providence Friars battles Romaro Gill #35 and Tyrese Samuel #4 of the Seton Hall Pirates for a rebound during the second half of a college basketball game at Prudential Center on January 22, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall defeated Providence 73-64. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 30: Coach Steele of Xavier looks on. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

. . Xavier Musketeers. 7. player. 480.

Xavier only played one game during this past week and it defended its home-court in a nine-point victory over Georgetown. Even with the Musketeers’ struggles so far this season, that result should have been expected heading in. With that said, though, it was impressive how the team performed considering the absence of Quentin Goodin from the lineup. The Musketeers seemed to rally themselves with only a seven-man rotation and found a way to return to their gritty defensive ways.

Xavier held Georgetown to just 57 points in the victory and that is definitely a step in the right direction. Additionally, it was a huge positive to see freshman KyKy Tandy experience his breakout game as he went off for 18 points on 4-for-8 shooting from distance. If he can provide the shooting and scoring punch off the bench that many expected a few months ago, that would greatly change the complexion of Xavier’s season.

On the whole, I am definitely still concerned about the Musketeers. This was their best performance of conference play but also is only a one-game sample size. Xavier still sits at 13-6 (2-4 BE) on the season without a single win over the KenPom Top 40. The Musketeers still have some work to do with regard to their future NCAA Tournament resume.

Securing more than just one true road win would be a good start. Xavier plays five of its next seven games away from the Cintas Center.

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