Bracketology 2024: Gonzaga, Michigan State and Memphis among teams in most need of a win this weekend

Xavier

Xavier has looked the part of a contender in the Big East a times this season, but things aren’t all cut and dry in Cincinnati. The Musketeers have had their struggles this season, but hope to return to the Big Dance for a second straight year under Sean Miller.

Home losses to Oakland and Delaware look poor on a resume with a NET of just 50. The Musketeers do have a pair of Quad 1 victories, beating Saint Mary’s back in November before an upset win at Providence last month. They’ll clearly want more of these kinds of performances considering the opportunities they’ve had and blown in league play against a strong Big East.

Another one of those chances comes Saturday, as they’ll host Creighton less than a month after losing by seven in Omaha to these Bluejays. This is another brilliant opportunity for a squad that’s won three straight games, including wins over fellow bubble teams Villanova and St. John’s. Another win at home over a contender shows that Xavier is for real, while the opposite would join a long list of missed opportunities.