Xavier Faces Illinois in NCAA Tournament: A Deep Dive
Table of Contents
- 1. Xavier Faces Illinois in NCAA Tournament: A Deep Dive
- 2. Keys to a xavier Victory
- 3. Slowing Down Illinois’ high-Octane Offense
- 4. Dominate the Glass
- 5. Limit Coleman Hawkins
- 6. Players to Watch
- 7. Team Rosters and Key Stats
- 8. Prediction
- 9. How far do you think Xavier can go in the tournament?
- 10. Xavier vs. Illinois: A Tournament Preview with Analyst, Sarah Thompson
Milwaukee,WI – March 20,2025 – Following a thrilling First Four victory,Xavier prepares for a challenging matchup against Illinois in the NCAA Tournament. Can the Musketeers pull off another upset?
Xavier University is riding high after securing an 86-80
victory over the Texas Longhorns in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament held in Dayton on
Wednesday night. Now, the Musketeers are set to face the No. 6 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in the first
round proper. This contest will take place Friday night at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, offering Xavier a
relatively familiar habitat.
WATCH: Breaking down Xavier’s NCAA Tournament win over Texas
Xavier beat reporter Shelby Dermer recaps the Musketeers’ 86-80 victory over Texas Wednesday night at
UD Arena.
Fiserv Forum, while not Xavier’s home court, holds positive memories. Earlier this year,on January 18th,
Xavier secured a 59-57
upset against the then-No.7 Marquette Golden Eagles at this venue,ending a six-game losing streak
there. This familiarity could provide a psychological edge as they enter a neutral-site battle against a
seasoned Illinois team.
Keys to a xavier Victory
Here are some crucial factors that could determine whether Xavier advances in the tournament:
Slowing Down Illinois’ high-Octane Offense
Xavier’s victory over marquette earlier in the season was, in part, due to a strong defensive showing. As
mentioned previously, it was one of their best defensive efforts to get their only Quad 1 win of the
year.The Musketeers stifled Marquette’s offense, limiting them to just 37.1% shooting from the field and
8-for-29 from beyond the arc.They also minimized Marquette’s free-throw opportunities and forced
thirteen turnovers.
however, Illinois presents an even greater challenge. The Fighting Illini boasts a potent offense, ranking
15th in KenPom’s offensive efficiency ratings. They average 83.8 points per game, placing them 11th
nationally, and excel at scoring inside the arc, where they rank 18th in two-point shooting percentage.
Xavier will need a similar, if not better, defensive performance to contain Illinois’ attack.
“Xavier always likes to play fast and that matches what illinois likes to do as the No. 18 team in the
country in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.” this suggests a high-scoring, fast-paced game, wich could favor
Illinois if Xavier can’t control the tempo and force turnovers.
Creating turnovers will be a key component of the game. Getting Illinois into foul trouble is just as
important. With the Illini averaging 16.3 fouls per game, and Xavier averaging 16.7, the Musketeers
must be aggressive without being reckless.
Dominate the Glass
Illinois is a strong rebounding team, and xavier will need to match their physicality on the boards.
Second-chance points could be crucial in a close game.
Limit Coleman Hawkins
Hawkins is a huge piece to the puzzle that is Illinois basketball. Containing him is imperative to gaining
the upper hand.
Players to Watch
Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic is a significant concern for Xavier. The 7-footer from Croatia
averages 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.His presence in the paint could deter shot attempts from
xavier’s offense, which struggles with blocked shots.
For Xavier, Marcus Foster could be a key offensive contributor. He had a season-high 22
points at UD Arena, shooting 8-for-9 from the field and hitting four 3-pointers. Given that Illinois ranks
143rd defensively against 3-pointers, foster’s outside shooting could be a major asset.
additionally, Xavier’s bench players, Dante Maddox Jr. and Jerome Hunter, provided
a spark against Texas, scoring a combined 22 points. Hunter’s ability to hit multiple three-pointers
could stretch the defense and create opportunities for others.
Team Rosters and Key Stats
| Xavier Musketeers | Position | Height | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond Claude | G | 6’5″ | 13.1 |
| Quincy Olivari | G | 6’3″ | 19.8 |
| Johnuel “boogie” Fland | G | 6’3″ | 7.8 |
| Dailyn Swain | G/F | 6’8″ | 10.5 |
| Zach Freemantle | F | 6’9″ | 17.2 |
Prediction
after surrendering 89 points to marquette in a Big East Tournament loss, Xavier’s defense faces added
pressure to rebound. While they won’t have the home-court advantage they enjoyed at UD Arena, a focused
defensive effort could lead to an upset over Illinois.
Illinois struggled significantly in conference play this season. In their 20 conference games, the Illini
went 11-9. The Illini rely heavily on their starters and lack reliable depth from their bench. If Xavier can
get a couple of Illinois’ starters into foul trouble early, that will be a huge advantage for the Musketeers.
Considering that five teams emerging from the First Four have advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA
Tournament, there’s a precedent for Xavier to extend their run.
Final score prediction: Xavier 81, Illinois 77
How far do you think Xavier can go in the tournament?
Xavier vs. Illinois: A Tournament Preview with Analyst, Sarah Thompson
Archyde: welcome back to Archyde, everyone. Today,we have Sarah Thompson,a prominent college basketball analyst,to break down the upcoming NCAA Tournament matchup between Xavier and Illinois. Sarah, thanks for joining us.
Sarah: Thanks for having me! Excited to talk about this game.
Archyde: Xavier is coming off a big win against Texas in the First Four. How significant is that victory, and what momentum does it bring into their game against Illinois?
Sarah: That win was huge for Xavier. It showed they can perform under pressure in the tournament. The fact that they had to battle back against Texas, who are also a tough team, should give them a real confidence boost. They’ve already proven they can win in a tournament setting.
Archyde: illinois presents a different challenge, ranking 11th nationally in points per game. What are the keys to Xavier’s success against Illinois’ high-powered offence?
Sarah: Defense, defense, defense. Xavier needs to contain Illinois’ offense. they will need to slow down the Illini’s tempo, force turnovers, and limit their second-chance points by dominating the boards. Their defense needs to be a strong as it was against Marquette earlier this season.
Archyde: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee seems to be a familiar site, but Xavier’s offense struggles with blocked shots. How can they overcome this?
Sarah: Xavier must be smart about their shot selection. They can’t be afraid to pass but must maximize every prospect. Moreover,watching Marcus Foster and others make their outside shot at the three-point line could be huge. Xavier could use this opportunity to take advantage of how Illinois defends outside shots.
Archyde: Are there any specific Illinois players Xavier needs to be wary of?
Sarah: Absolutely. Tomislav ivisic, the 7-footer, poses a significant threat in the paint. Containing Coleman Hawkins will also be key. Xavier has to limit his impact.
Archyde: What Xaiver players could be key contributors to this game?
Sarah: Marcus Foster’s outside shooting could be huge. Also,keep an eye on the bench players,Dante Maddox Jr. and Jerome Hunter. They could provide a spark.
Archyde: Xavier’s defense faces added pressure. Considering the precedent of teams from the First Four advancing, how do you see this game playing out? Any score predictions?
Sarah: This game will be a battle. Illinois struggles in conference play, and Xavier needs to exploit that. If Xavier can get Illinois’ starters into foul trouble, this will be a huge advantage.I’m going to predict a close one. Xavier 81, Illinois 79.
Archyde: An exciting prediction! Sarah, excellent insights. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today. do you think Xavier can go far in the tournament; if not,how far?
Sarah:They’ve got the potential to make a deep run if they play smart and maintain defensive intensity. Making the Sweet Sixteen would be within reach if the matchups fall their way, anything beyond that would be a testament to their defensive capabilities.
