A Final Four is On Xavier's Horizon

In a college basketball landscape that tends to favor the "big boys," the Xavier Musketeers have found a niche and steadily climbed the ladder to the point where they are firmly a fixture.  As a result, they have become a ‘big boy’ in their own right.

Since 2000, when Xavier moved into the Cintas Center (their swank on-campus arena), they have reached the NCAA Tournament every year but one.  In that time period there have been nine game wins: Three Sweet 16s and two Elite Eight’.  Can a Final Four be that far off?

Though Xavier plays in the Atlantic 10, an often maligned conference for their lack of notoriety, they have found ways to recruit and win.  It’s no coincidence that this success was elevated when an already emerging program moved into the Cintas Center. 

With its luxury boxes and premium season ticket base that requires healthy donations, it’s no wonder Forbes magazine ranked Xavier’s basketball program as one of its Top 20 Wealthiest Programs in the country.

One of the best aspects of Xavier basketball over the years has been its pride in the program. The jockeys, good ones many, have changed but the program steadily moves forward. 

The current jockey is Sean Miller, who is completing his fifth season as Head Coach of Xavier.  This is the fourth time in his five years that he has brought the Muskies to the ‘Big Dance.’

Sean Miller’s first NCAA run with Xavier was a short one when his 14th seeded Muskies lost a really close game to third seeded Gonzaga.  The next season saw a ninth seeded Xavier squad all but take down top seeded Ohio St. in the second round after the refs didn’t have the guts to call an obvious and flagrant foul on Greg Odom in the waning seconds.

Xavier lost in overtime.

Last year, the experience of the previous two NCAA Tournaments appeared to spur Xavier to an Elite Eight run before being out-manned by Kevin Love and top seeded UCLA.

This Thursday, for the third consecutive year Xavier will be up against a No. 1 seed.  Will the third time be the charm?  Looking at how Xavier has slowly taken its steps year after year, the trend leads toward the possibility being real. 

All the pressure is on Pitt.  They have been hearing all week about how their last five Sweet 16 appearances have been the end of their road.  Xavier has the experience, depth, and size to pull off the upset. 

For a program that spent years being the hunter and is now more often hunted, Xavier has a chance to be on the prowl again against Pitt.

Of the four No. 1 seeds in this year’s tournament, Xavier best matches up with Pitt.  Xavier can combat their size with Jason Love and Kenny Frease in the post.  That also is 10 fouls to give against Pitt’s bullish stud Dejuan Blair.

Lavance Fields, Pitt’s all everything point guard, will be the Muskies toughest player to contain.  However, Dante Jackson and Terrell Holloway showed marked improvement in Boise and should have the confidence to make things as difficult as possible for Mr. Fields.

Sam Young can flat out score for the Panthers, but Xavier has proven most effective at stopping high scoring wing players like Young this year.  Their length in defending that position with Derrick Brown and C.J. Anderson could prove pivotal. 

Offensively, look for Xavier to beat Pitt at their own game by getting the ball in the post and either getting to the line or kicking it back out for the three ball.  B.J. Raymond and freshman Brad Redford could have plenty of good looks if that happens, and they are deadly outside shooters. 

Also look for Xavier to crash the offensive boards.  The energy Jamel Mclean has been bringing off the bench has definitely electrified the Muskies in stretches.

Win or lose Thursday night in Boston, Xavier has once again taken another step up the rungs of the college basketball world.  This was supposed to be a re-tooling year of sorts for Xavier with the next two seasons appearing to be the brightest yet in their history. 

A Final Four is on the horizon, there is no doubt.  This Xavier team isn’t the team most thought would reach that horizon.  Sometimes reaching new horizons when you least expect them create new ones, dare I say a National Championship?

As long as there’s another rung on the ladder.