The Big Sky Conference champions are a 15 seed and headed to play second-seeded Xavier on Friday in the Scottrade Center in in St. Louis, Missouri.
Xavier (27-5) is ranked fifth in the country and coming off an 87-83 loss to Seton Hall in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament. The No. 2 seed in the tournament is the highest in the school's history.
The Musketeers have reached 10 of the last 11 NCAA Tournaments and 14 of the last 16. Seventh-year head coach Chris Mack has led Xavier to six NCAA Tournaments in his first seven years, including three Sweet 16 berths.
The Musketeers have reached 10 of the last 11 NCAA Tournaments and 14 of the last 16. Seventh-year head coach Chris Mack has led Xavier to six NCAA Tournaments in his first seven years, including three Sweet 16 berths.
The Musketeers are No. 15 in Ken Pomeroy’s latest rankings. Led by 6-foot-6 sophomore Trevon Bluiett, Xavier is 36th in the country in defensive efficiency (.962 points per possession) and 18th in offensive efficiency (1.158 points per possession).
Bluiett, who is one of two Musketeers to start every game this season, leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) and is second in rebounding (6.2 rpg). Bluiett is a former four-star recruit who picked Xavier over programs like UCLA, Arizona, Indiana and Michigan. But he’s just part of a potent offense. Freshman Edmond Sumner (11.3 ppg), junior Myles Davis (11.1) and senior James Farr (10.8) all average double figures for a team that’s 29th in the nation in adjusted tempo and 18th in points per game (81.3).
A glance at Xavier’s projected starting five …
— Fr. G Edmond Sumner (6-6) … 11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, 40.8 FG%, 31.6 3pt%
— So. G Trevon Bluiett (6-6) … 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 42.9 FG%, 39.9 3pt%
— Jr. G Myles Davis (6-2) … 11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 40.5 FG%, 38.7 3pt%
— Jr. F Jalen Reynolds (6-10) … 9.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 507 FG%
— Sr. G Remy Abell (6-4) … 6.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 39.5 FG%, 32.5 3pt%
XAVIER IN KENPOM’S RANKINGS
Offense
No. 18 in offense … 1.158 points per possession
No. 29 in adjusted tempo … 72.9
No. 108 in effective FG% … 51.5
No. 108 in 3p% … 36.2
No. 122 in 2p% … 50.0
No. 58 in FT% … 73.1
Defense
No. 36 in defense … .962 points per possession
No. 83 in effective defensive FG% … 47.9
No. 32 in 3p% … 31.5
No. 153 in 2p% … 48.4The early line
— Kyle Franko (@ByKyleFranko) March 13, 2016
Xavier -13 vs Weber State#BigSkymBB
Rahe says he's been to St. Louis several times, loves the city. He's a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. #WeberState #BigSkyMBB #SelectionSunday— Brett Hein (@bhein3) March 13, 2016
Weber St makes its 16th NCAA Tourney appearance from its 22 Big Sky titles. 15-WSU will play 2-Xavier in St. Louis. Winner gets Pitt/Wiscy— WeberHoops (@WeberHoops) March 13, 2016
A few more photos from the selection show party! #LetsDance pic.twitter.com/AtxEn2xAoG— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) March 13, 2016
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) March 13, 2016
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