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Big East Basketball: Creighton, Villanova lead latest power rankings

By Salvador Lopez

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 01: The Big East logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Seton Hall Pirates at the Prudential Center on February 1, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 01: The Big East logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Seton Hall Pirates at the Prudential Center on February 1, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Paul Scruggs Xavier Musketeers (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Paul Scruggs Xavier Musketeers (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

5. Xavier Musketeers (5-0)

  • Wins: vs Oakland (101-49), vs Bradley (51-50), vs Toledo (76-73), vs Eastern Kentucky (99-96 OT), vs Tennessee Tech (79-48)
  • Next Game: Sunday 12/6 at 3 pm ET at Cincinnati

Xavier is 5-0 to start off this season against mid-majors, but the Musketeers survived three scares on their schedule to remain undefeated.

In their season opener, Xavier destroyed Oakland 101-49, only to win the next day on Thanksgiving 51-50 over Bradley. The Musketeers were able to squeak out two more close victories 76-73 over Toledo and 99-96 in overtime against Eastern Kentucky. On Wednesday, Xavier won easily over Tennessee Tech 79-48.

This season, Xavier’s scoring is led by two returning sophomores who have taken the step up this season in scoring. Sophomore forward, Zach Freemantle (17.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg), has converted on 61.3 percent of his shots so far while tallying two double-doubles. Sophomore guard, KyKy Tandy (14.8 ppg, 3 apg), made six three-point shots against Oakland in Xavier’s season opener.

Third-year starting point guard, Paul Scruggs (12.4 ppg, 7.4 apg), is also back as a factor playing a crucial role as a facilitator and defender, while currently leading the Musketeers with 11 total steals in five games.

Senior forward, Jason Carter (10.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg) has made tremendous improvements replacing the rebounding production of the offseason graduating departure of forward Tyrique Jones. Carter has at least 11 rebounds in his last four games.

Head coach Travis Steele also added a solid grad transfer pickup that has been a key piece to the starting unit this season. Senior guard, Nate Johnson (11.8 ppg) from Gardner-Webb, has given Xavier a boost from the perimeter, as is currently shooting 48.1 percent from three-point range.

Xavier received great news on Saturday when junior guard, Adam Kunkel, who averaged 16.5 points per game last season for the Belmont Bruins, was granted a waiver by the NCAA and is eligible to play this season.

The Musketeers have been able to close out games late, as they have avoided any upset losses that would have hurt their resume. Xavier’s schedule will only get tougher from here.

Xavier will have their first real test today against in-city rival Cincinnati on the road at Fifth Third Arena. The Musketeers will then host Oklahoma Wednesday at home as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle, before starting Big East Conference play on Saturday, December 12 at Providence.

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