In a shocking turn of events, Xavier pulled off a significant upset at the Cintas Center, defeating Butler 89-75. The Musketeers, ranked 96th in the nation, took down the 50th-ranked Bulldogs, making a major statement in the college basketball world. This win is a reflection of Xavier's resilience and determination, as they outplayed and outcoached their opponents from start to finish.
Tre Carroll was the star of the show for Xavier, scoring 29 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. His dominant performance set the tone for the Musketeers, who led 44-36 at halftime. Carroll's teammates, Malik Messina-Moore and Filip Borovicanin, also made significant contributions, with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Messina-Moore added 9 assists to his stat line, while Borovicanin chipped in with 7 rebounds and 9 assists.
Butler's Michael Ajayi did his best to keep the Bulldogs in the game, scoring 22 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Musketeers. Yame Butler and Yohan Traore added 14 points each for the Bulldogs, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Xavier's impressive team performance.
The Musketeers' victory was not just a surprise due to the rankings, but also because of the convincing margin. Xavier outscored Butler 45-39 in the second half, maintaining their lead and never allowing the Bulldogs to mount a serious comeback. The 14-point win is a significant statement for the Musketeers, who have now improved to 11-9 on the season.
With no pre-game prediction available, this outcome is all the more surprising. The upset win will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, as Xavier's victory over a top-50 team is a major resume booster. This game was classified as a Quadrant 2 matchup for both teams, and the win will be a valuable addition to Xavier's tournament resume. For Butler, the loss will be a setback, but they still remain in a strong position with a 12-7 record and a net ranking of 50.
The implications of this result are significant for both teams. Xavier's win will likely improve their standing in the eyes of the selection committee, while Butler's loss may drop them a few spots in the rankings. As the season heats up, both teams want to build on this performance, with Xavier aiming to ride the momentum of their upset victory and Butler seeking to bounce back from the disappointing loss. The Musketeers' resume now includes a notable win over a quality opponent, which matters in their pursuit of a tournament berth.