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Xavier vs Texas: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule, prediction

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 18, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) celebrates in the last seconds of a victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu (1) celebrates in the last seconds of a victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Xavier and Texas look to be one of the more evenly matched NCAA Tournament games this week. Who has the edge and will make the Elite 8?

TV schedule: Friday, March 24th, 9:45 pm ET (approx), CBS

Arena: T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri

We have an interesting storyline for this NCAA Tournament game on the sidelines between Xavier and Texas when it comes to the head coaches. The Longhorns (28-8) are led by interim coach Rodney Terry, who took over for the now-fired/current Ole Miss HC, Chris Beard. He’s taken the program to the Sweet 16, beating both Colgate and Penn State.

In the 71-66 win over the Nittany Lions, Dylan Disu had one of the top individual performances in the Big Dance, going for 28 points and 10 rebounds on 14/20 shooting from the field. Sir’Jabari Rice had 13 points off the bench, while Timmy Allen was one point shy of a double-double.

The opponent for Texas is Xavier (27-9), led by first-year head coach Sean Miller. He led Arizona to a number of NCAA Tournament appearances and already has the Musketeers in the Sweet 16. It wasn’t an easy path, as they trailed 14-seed Kennesaw State by double-digits in the second half at one point. Xavier was able to pull off the comeback to win 72-67, led by 24 points from Jerome Hunter.

The Musketeers had an easier time against Pittsburgh in the Round of 32, winning 84-73 after leading by as much as 20 points in the second half. Six starters were in double figures, led by 18 points from Jack Nunge and 10 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists from Colby Jones.

The big matchup to watch in this game is on the perimter, as Marcus Carr, Tyrese Hunter and Rice for Texas will take on Souley Boum, Adam Kunkel and Jones for Xavier. And Nunge vs Disu inside will be important since neither team has much depth outside of their leading bigs.

Next. Ranking each remaining Sweet 16 team. dark

The big advantage comes on the sidelines, with Miller having more experience, especially in the postseason over Terry. If the game comes down to the final minutes, which it very well could, that may end up being the decidng factor.

Prediction: Xavier 76, Texas 72