Xavier Edges DePaul 68-66 in Thrilling Contest

Xavier's Tre Carroll stole the show at the Cintas Center, scoring 21 points and grabbing 6 rebounds to propel the Musketeers to a 68-66 win over DePaul. The highly anticipated matchup between two evenly matched teams lived up to its billing, with both sides trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. In the end, Xavier's balanced attack and Carroll's standout performance was the difference.

The game got off to a fast start, with DePaul taking a 35-30 lead into halftime. CJ Gunn, DePaul's talented guard, was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 12 of his 19 points to keep the Blue Demons ahead. However, Xavier adjusted its defense in the second half, holding DePaul to just 31 points and slowly chipping away at the deficit. Filip Borovicanin and Malik Messina-Moore provided crucial support for Carroll, scoring 16 and 13 points, respectively, to help the Musketeers take control.

As the game entered its final minutes, the intensity picked up, with both teams making big plays on both ends of the court. Xavier's ability to limit DePaul's second-chance opportunities and force tough shots proved decisive, as the Musketeers outscored the Blue Demons 38-31 in the second half. Gunn's 19 points and 5 rebounds were not enough to overcome Xavier's collective effort, as the Musketeers secured a hard-fought 2-point victory.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Xavier winning by 3.2 points, and the actual margin of 2 points was remarkably close. The prediction's accuracy was a reflection of the teams' similar strengths and weaknesses, which made for a tightly contested and entertaining game.

This win was a Quadrant 3 victory for Xavier, which will undoubtedly boost the Musketeers' tournament resume. With a current NET ranking of 96, Xavier needs to accumulate as many quality wins as possible to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. DePaul, on the other hand, suffered a Quadrant 2 loss, which might slightly dent its tournament hopes. The Blue Demons' current NET ranking of 105 leaves them on the bubble, and they must regroup and refocus to stay in contention.

As the season enters its final stretch, Xavier's victory over DePaul serves as a significant resume builder. The Musketeers have now improved to 12-10, and their ability to win close games against comparable opponents matters in the upcoming weeks. With Carroll and his supporting cast playing at a high level, Xavier is poised to make a push for the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers' narrow win over DePaul may have been just what they needed to gain momentum and make a late-season surge.