The Xavier Musketeers came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring Villanova 23-17, but the Villanova Wildcats fought back to take a 43-42 lead at halftime, with Acaden Lewis scoring 12 of his 21 points in the first half. The second quarter belonged to Villanova, as they outscored Xavier 26-19, with Tyler Perkins adding 10 points in the quarter. Xavier's Tre Carroll was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 15 of his 28 points in the first half, and grabbing 7 of his 10 rebounds. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage, as Villanova shot 52% from the field and Xavier shot 49%.
As the game wore on, Villanova's depth began to pay off, with four players scoring in double figures, including Bryce Lindsay, who added 15 points off the bench. Xavier, on the other hand, relied heavily on Carroll and Jovan Milicevic, who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. The Musketeers' recent trend of allowing 83.8 points per game over their last 5 contests continued, as Villanova scored 92 points, including 11 in overtime. Villanova's recent form has been impressive, with the team averaging 79.2 points per game over their last 5 contests, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 9.4 points.
Villanova's Acaden Lewis Scores 21 Points in Win Over Xavier
The star performers in this game were undoubtedly Lewis and Carroll, who both put on a show. Lewis's 21 points and 7 rebounds were crucial for Villanova, and his 6 assists helped to facilitate the team's offense. Carroll, on the other hand, was a dominant force for Xavier, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. However, it was the supporting cast that made the difference, as Villanova's bench outscored Xavier's 25-15. Malik Messina-Moore added 15 points and 7 assists for Xavier, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of Villanova.
The CHD Scout prediction of Villanova by 9.1 points was correct, but the actual margin of victory was much closer, at just 3 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The reason for the discrepancy between the predicted and actual score was the strong performance of Xavier's offense, which scored 89 points, well above their average of 74.8 points per game over their last 5 contests. Villanova's defense, which has been stingy of late, allowing just 69.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, was tested by Xavier's high-powered offense. The Musketeers' ability to score from both inside and outside, with Carroll and Milicevic combining for 48 points, made it difficult for Villanova to pull away.
In the end, it was Villanova's experience and depth that won out, as they outscored Xavier 11-8 in overtime to secure the 92-89 victory. The win was Villanova's fifth straight, and it solidified their position as one of the top teams in the country. With a record of 21-5, Villanova is now in a strong position to make a deep run in the tournament. Xavier, on the other hand, fell to 13-13, and their tournament hopes are beginning to fade.
The loss for Xavier is a significant blow to their tournament chances, as they fell to 13-13 on the season. The Musketeers' NET ranking of 97 is not likely to improve significantly, and they must win out and get some help in order to make the tournament. Villanova, on the other hand, is now firmly entrenched as a top-30 team, with a NET ranking of 30. The Wildcats' quad 2 win over Xavier will help to bolster their resume, and they are now in a strong position to secure a high seed in the tournament. With just a few games remaining in the regular season, Villanova is poised to make a deep run in the tournament, while Xavier's hopes are dwindling.
The game was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with both teams giving it their all. In the end, it was Villanova's balanced attack and depth that won out, as they outscored Xavier 92-89. The win was a significant one for Villanova, as it solidified their position as one of the top teams in the country. With a record of 21-5, Villanova is now in a strong position to make a deep run in the tournament. The Wildcats' recent form has been impressive, with the team averaging 79.2 points per game over their last 5 contests, and outscoring their opponents by an average of 9.4 points.